How do you unleash the secret, hidden obsession for shopping in people? Having the answer to this question can make you really rich or it could make you obsessed with shopping. Is it the mere practicality of being able to touch and feel everything you ever desired and indulge in the potential to actually buy it, or is it the emotion of trying to find that very particular dress or skirt or shoes, knowing it is out there somewhere? Whatever the reason is, the fact lies that people can shop till they drop. And some are proud of it. Actually, I strangely admire these people due to their neverending stamina and everlasting endurance (although their patience at some other things can be horrible)
And most importantly, the passion they have for getting what they like, that they will stop at nothing to get what they want. I don't know whether it's a bad thing that I see less people shopping like there is no end in the world, mainly due to the economic problem of scarcity. (scarce of money...)Of course, it is common sense that people stop buying once they run out of cash (though some resort to unethical means, something that I find quite disturbing), but what keeps them doing the same activity until they form this certain ritualistic need to shop - a shopping obsession.
Is it the spatial experience of the shopping mall (the deceiving and alluring lights and designs, attractive signboards, hustling, bustling crowd, the image of endless possibilities and choices) or is the everchanging products that shoppers, especially the younger crowds, that they must update themselves with in order to keep with the flow of fashion?
Take for instance, Queensway Shopping Centre. You can find almost every design and variety of sport equipment and sportwear, and true enough, we do see countless amounts of people hunting for such products, despite the gloomy and rather dismaying facade and interior design of the shopping centre. One can argue that it is the cost of the goods, the prices that are much lower than branded sports shop but is it really all to it? Does the price of the goods determine everything, rather than the place we are shopping at?
Wonder anyone has any idea of a mall in Singapore that solely attracts people not for the purpose of shopping, but for the sake of just entering the mall? (Just like when we enter a park)
Anyway, I guess the reason why people shop, for some till they drop, is because it validates their choices. The process of choosing, buying and owning can give one, at a subconscious level, a sense of accomplishment and in effect, temporal release from scarcity. Maybe scientists should investigate the amount of "happy hormones" people create when they shop... what other reasons do you think make people shop so much?
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6 comments:
I guess its the only time one feels really in control? Most of the pple who sees shopping as therapy prolly had lots of pressure from wrk, from home, from relationship and this list is not exhaustive. Prssure such as wad can be done, should be done and will be done. Pressure of unable to do what he or she wants.
In shopping, one feels in control. I buy what I like. Nevermind others tell me its useless. The more they say, the more i want it. I WANT I WANT I WANT! Shopping then becomes more of a personal statement?
BUT, are we in control? realli... consider the adverts, consider the sale promotions, consider that pretty/handsome salesperson cajoling you to buy... are we really in control? Are we even ourselves anymore?
hmm why people shop. i think somehow retail therapy is not really that bogus. shopping does make people happy.
as for why it makes people happy i'm not too sure. well, it may be a 'need' or 'want' that gets fulfilled. maybe the attraction to new things.
generally buying is exchanging cash for something else. (this if of course not refering to window shopping). giving cash away is not a very happy thing, so i guess its the things you get in exchange that makes people happy.
anyway to side track a bit, shopping is not only limited to brick and mortar shops. there are many other people like me who enjoy shopping online. the experience is quite different though they fulfil the somewhat same function. and yeah it makes people happy too. so in a sense, its not always the shopping centre (as a place), or the company that you're with.
instant gratification?
new mktg scheme? will shoppers bite?
I think people need instant gratification that why they shop. Sometimes it is not even that they really need the item. Sometimes it is not even that they need to be there to feel it (online shopping).
It is the need to do something and get results fast for material gain and sensation. :)
Michael
Sometimes, I think we shop to feel a void. You know...like when you're feeling all down and out, and you suddenly feel like you need to get something new. Or something, you'd like new stuff, to start anew and all... shopping, to me, is kind of like a temporary high. Nevertheless, retail therapy does work, even if only for awhile. =)
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