The Allure of the Deal
The journalist observed a shift in consumer priorities. “I realized to what extent we were all psychologically disarmed and manipulated by marketing. Today, we are more in the search for the good deal than in the search for the right product,” he said. He pointed to the popularity of stores offering items for just one or two euros, where shoppers frequently enough make impulse purchases, driven by the feeling of getting a bargain rather than a genuine need. “What matters is the shopping experience, the dopamine, the pleasure. This is the business model of the low-cost industry.”
Are we all susceptible to these tactics?
“I think it speaks to everyone,” he admitted. “Obviously, I to have already preferred to buy five cheaper and lower quality sweaters just to last the year instead of buying one more expensive and better quality to keep it longer.”
The perception of low-cost stores has evolved in recent years, attracting a diverse clientele. “That’s for sure. In categorized stores labeled ‘low-cost,’ there are people from all social backgrounds. I saw a gentleman with his big car from a well-known German brand, a lady with her luxury bag,” the journalist noted. He emphasized that while affordable options can be beneficial for those with limited resources,the real problem lies in the overconsumption thay encourage.
Looking Ahead to 2030
The future of low-cost retail remains uncertain. “Low-cost is gaining ground. More and more packages are arriving from China,in particular. So I’m not sure it’s going to go in the right direction,” he cautioned.
When asked about how to combat the excesses of fast fashion, he offered a simple yet effective strategy: “It is an individual battle that each person must fight against themselves. A little tip I could give that works? when we are on an online sales site and we put items in our basket,we let a week pass,time to think. If the desire to buy the item is really there, we will still want it the following week.”
