are you ms mission?

14 February, 2012

Recent findings from the Consumer Shopping Benchmarks Study 2011 highlighted some interesting changes in the way we are shopping. Which tactics sound like you?

Game plan one: Ms Mission
Going to the mall or wandering along the high street browsing has been part of our after work or weekend entertainment mix for as long as we can remember: ‘Just looking’, which ultimately turns into buying. Not so much anymore. Shopping – for many – has become a tactical mission with a goal, a game plan and an exit strategy. There’s less wandering and browsing, and more planning, buying and leaving.

Game plan two: Ms Careful
One thing a slower economy does for us as individuals, is paint a pretty clear picture of how safe and comfortable we feel about our financial situation. Often it creates a need for more security and as a result, a greater focus on saving the pennies.

It’s not that we’ve hit the panic button, stopped shopping and started hoarding cash under the bed, but on the whole, we’ve become more cautious about what we really want to buy, when and for how much. And while being cautious drums up notions of sacrifice and boredom, quite the opposite can be the case – it’s empowering to feel in control of how much hard earned cash is going across the counter.

Game plan three: Ms Haggle
Everything is negotiable and we’re starting to learn that in the way we shop. More importantly, we’re getting more comfortable with bargaining and asking for a better price. Discount and Sale have become key words in our retail vocabulary, and looking for the best deal is becoming a new favourite past time. Browsing the internet for price information, negotiating with retailers and feeling that you’ve really got value for money is an enjoyable way to stretch your retail muscle.

Game plan four: Ms Time to Time
There may be less Shopaholics browsing the aisles, but that doesn’t mean splurging is a thing of the past. The difference today, is that we’re tempted by a retail blow-out less often. Rather than heading to the mall two or three times a week for a wander, splurge occasions are an entertainment we enjoy on a less frequent basis.