The end of Thanksgiving week represents the high point of American consumption — a purposefully designed fast and frenzied shopping atmosphere at stores all over the country. And that’s exactly how many shoppers like it.
Odd Spending
What’s on Tap for Black Friday: Strikes, Protests, Anger – Oh, and Some Deals Too!
It’s never a good idea for stores to upset customers. Considering how important the holiday period is for retailers, right now is an especially bad time to get shoppers and employees agitated. Yet this especially big week for …
Consumer Fatigue: Shopping Has Never Been Easier—Or as Mentally Exhausting
Hey shoppers, are you feeling overwhelmed? Burned out? Thoroughly confused? You’re not alone.
Does a Low Price Mean Good Value or Bad Quality?
While some shoppers pounce on rock-bottom prices without hesitation, others are tentative concerning “doorbusters” and eye-popping 80% off deals. After all, doesn’t a cheap price equate to cheap quality?
Election’s Over: Time to Buy a Gun!
President Barack Obama has been referred to as “salesman of the year” for the gun industry. The nickname is likely to stick around, considering that gun sales are expected to rise like a speeding bullet now that he’s been reelected.
Why Dirty-Looking Money Makes Us Spend More
In a finding that gives a whole new meaning to the term “money laundering,” researchers found that people are driven to spend old or grimy bills more readily than newly-minted ones. In a forthcoming article in the Journal of …
Former ‘Extreme Couponer’ Admits: It’s a Waste of Time
For obvious reasons, the idea that you can snag hundreds of dollars worth of groceries for next to nothing has become exceptionally popular with today’s debt-ridden, budget-strapped masses. But does the “extreme couponing” …
Why Holiday Season ‘Self-Gifting’ Is Such a Huge Retail Trend
We’ve all heard that it is better to give than receive. During the holiday shopping period, there’s a new twist to this old adage: With the rise of “self-gifting,” many consumers are clearly big fans of the idea of “giving” — …
‘Sandy Sales’: After a Tragedy, How Soon Is Too Soon to Go Shopping?
In the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, we’ll be greatly in need of consumers to get back to their free-spending ways to put the economy back on track. But while millions are still coping with destruction, death, and power outages, the idea of hosting a hurricane-themed sale is perhaps in bad taste.
Season of Giving? Holiday Shopping Hits New Heights of Selfishness with ‘Self-Gifting’
Six in ten shoppers will hit the malls during the always-expanding holiday season and engage in what’s rapidly becoming a holiday tradition: self-gifting. We’ll reward ourselves with an average of around $140 in self-gifts this …
Holiday Promotions Months Before the Holiday? Sign Us Up!
The Booming Business of “Divorce Parties”
Feather boas, sashes, tiaras… no, it’s not a beauty pageant. It’s not even a bachelorette party, although between the giddiness and the flowing Champagne, that would be an easy mistake to make. Party planners and manufacturers …