While most of us probably think of a trip to the mall as a way to acquire the things we need at home, there’s more available in the shopping experience than meets the eye. That’s because shopping can also be viewed as an expression of who you are, which takes the choices you make to a new level.
Whether you’re aware of it or not, the experience of shopping, along with the choices you make while shopping, speaks volumes about the kind of person you are. What’s more – becoming more aware of the influences that guide your shopping decisions might even make you a better shopper.
It isn’t hard to catch the shopping bug. People tend to get bit in their teenage years when a trip to the local mall is associated with that first taste of freedom. Shopping centres provide teenagers with places to experience their first outings with friends unaccompanied by an adult. They also get to make their own choices about what to buy free from any parental guidance.
Choice and agency are an inherent part of shopping, and it isn’t just about finding great deals but finding the items of clothing, home décor and accessories that help us truly express who we are as individuals. When teenagers make these early consumer choices, they aren’t merely deciding what they want that day but what kind of person they are deciding to become.
As adults, we continue to make shopping decisions that influence the changes we undergo through our lives; that’s why it is essential to pay attention to what’s motivating your shopping choices and take more control where you desire.
If you’re looking to gain more control over how you shop, it can be an enormous help to become better versed in the local offerings wherever you happen to be shopping. After all, more options allow you a more comprehensive range of alternatives to allow you to express yourself and your individuality.
The consumer decisions that Canadians make are also influenced by what is available in local shopping centers. For example, if you’re deciding where to shop in Canada and opt for a large shopping center, you’re probably the type of person who prefers popular brand names over one-of-a-kind handcrafted items.
These consumer choices also express the kind of culture that Canadians decide to embody to express what it means to live in Canada. For example, when Canadians purchase environmentally conscious products on a large scale, it reflects the fact that Canadians care about their environment and might even see this trait as a quality of their nationality.
Your choices regarding where to shop can say as much about who you are as your choice in clothing. So next time you need to purchase a product, take a look at an online shopping website to help expand the options available.
Photo: The Lazy Artist Gallery, Pexels
