The Psychology Behind Shopping Frenzy: Why We Fall for Deals

Black Friday is a shopping event that might seem odd to some. Why would stores offer discounts right before the holiday season when people are already planning to spend money? Yet, many businesses keep participating, and shoppers keep buying. So, what's going on? People love a good deal, even if it's on something they didn't plan to buy. But there's more to it than that. Marketers use clever tricks to make us want to buy. For example, they might say an item is almost sold out or that many people are looking at it. This makes us worry that we'll miss out, or FOMO, as it's called. These tricks aren't new. They've been used for a long time. But now, technology makes it easier. When you shop online, stores can send you endless emails about sales. They can also track what you look at and send you messages to hurry up and buy. A book called "Hacking the Human Mind" talks about these tricks. It says that big brands use psychology to make us feel certain ways. But anyone can use these tricks. For example, Guinness ads say that good things come to those who wait. This makes people want to wait for their beer, even though it's just because it takes time to pour. Another example is KFC. They keep their recipe a secret. This makes people think it must be special. It's like when online stores say there are only a few items left. It makes us want to buy now. But what does all this mean for the stores? People are starting to wait for sales before they buy. So, stores might not be making as much money as they think. Also, some people get upset when they realize they bought something too soon because they were afraid it would sell out.