Impulse Buying

An impulse purchase is an unplanned buying decision that happens just before a

purchase occurs. While many consumers like to think that all purchases are
planned and considered, that simply is not the case. Shoppers who make impulse
purchases often have the following characteristics;
 They enjoy new experiences
 They are generally riskier than other consumers
 They think buying the object is going to be emotionally or mentally gratifying
 They might feel the need to reward or “treat” themselves
 They have a specific, almost-niche-like interest in the product
 They are often younger shoppers
 They have lower self-control in general
 They are more emotional shoppers
 They shop for fun or for a form of entertainment
CAUSES OF IMPLUSE BUYING
Emotion And Feeling
A study shows that people decide to buy because of emotion and feeling. When
you are drowning in anger, bored or guilty emotions, feeling stressed out or
depressed, that could quickly trigger you to purchase things you don’t need. In the
same way, when you’re in a good mood or excited about something, you tend to
purchase for the sake of satisfaction or pleasure.
Alongside, when your body is tired after some works at the office or college, you
probably want to drop by for food and drink at a restaurant or café on your way
home. Some marketers believe that women are more likely to impulse shop
compared to men. However, this may not be the case. Instead, both men and
women will engage in impulse purchasing, but they have a tendency to impulse
purchase on different kinds of items
Impulse Items
Snacks, chocolate, candy or clothes on sale are items that some stores often put in
front of the aisles or near the checkout to catch the shopper’s attention. Cosmetics
products, shoes and bags have been a strong attraction for women to make a
spontaneous purchase in big malls. These products truly have an eye-appeal
appearance, nice smells (foods) and sometimes are on sale that makes people
having a hard time to resist the temptation to buy. People often unconsciously put
them as extra items on their carts.
An Unplanned Shopping Habits
If you used to go shopping without planning it in advance, you will likely end up
purchasing items impulsively. Especially when it’s time to buy groceries. People
tend to buy at least two items which aren’t necessary for them.
Addicted To Shopping
The term for this is a shopaholic, a person who has an addiction to shop because it
gives him a sense of significant.
Lifestyle
This factor can influence someone to be a compulsive buyer. Celebrating success
over each deal in a job or a salary or commission from each deal is common.
Well-Crafted Promotional Message
Promotional messages often promise that a product can make a customer be more
confidence, give a sense of satisfaction, fulfillment, or happiness. This adds
strategies intent to exploit the desires of a buyer.

EFFECTS OF IMPULSE BUYING

It can lead to Financial, Mental & Relational Problems. A person who purchases
on impulse will likely to suffer from having debt. In the long run, it will disrupt the
financial stability. Later, it can affect the relationship in the family. People who
tend to buy compulsively are exposed to mental issues such as guilty feelings,
anxiety, and depression to insecurity.

SOLUTIONS TO IMPLUSE BUYING

Make A Shopping List
Don’t go shopping without a list. Particularly if your compulsive spending issue is
serious. This tool prevents you from rushing ahead and hold you accountable for
the purchases.
Use cash
Another way to restrain compulsive spending is by preparing the amount of cash
according to your shop list budget.
Budgeting
It is helpful to plan your budget ahead of time. In this way, you also hold yourself
accountable to your spouse if you are married. Make a separated bank account for
the shopping budget if necessary.
Shop Alone
Shop by yourself will prevent the impulse purchase especially if it’s from your
friend or relative. But if you are with your children in the store, they would likely
to get items that are not on your shop-list.
Spot Your Trigger
Notice what feeling or emotions that prompt you to buy items after a half minute
staring at them.

CONCLUSION
Every unplanned purchase is an impulsive buying. It is also a decision to buy items
right away and is triggered by emotional reasoning. At least 2 out of 5 items
purchased from the store are on the impulsive decision and made particularly by
young people.
But, the problem of impulsive buying is an internal one. It comes from the
uncontrolled and sometimes unchecked desires which need to be fulfilled soon
with an expectation that a subject will feel important, respected or calmer or more
confidence after having the desired items.
Knowing why it happens and applying the solutions to reduce the impulse truly
made a big impact on your financial and mental health.