What Is “Slow Shopping” And How It Works

“Slow Shopping” sounds like a common tern with nothing special in it, and yes, it literally means grocery stores are encouraging customers to refrain and not rush in buying. Simple to understand right?  Yes, it may sound simple but it has a deeper meaning and in this article, we are going to discuss what it is all about.

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History Of Slow Shopping And Where Dit It Start

“Some grocery stores in both the UK and US have been doing this for years. Wegmans, for example, has its own beer café and plenty of places to sit, have a drink (or a meal), catch up and generally relax after the hustle and bustle of buying,” Sue Gleiter at the Pennsylvania news resource PennLive writes.

Millennials drive many trends today, and slow buying is one. Melissa Fulenwider at Business Today says it’s the millennials’ tendency to go to live events, like festivals, concerts, and parties, that is a driving force behind the recreation of fun, festive atmospheres in stores.

“According to a recent study on luxury retailing from the Fashion Institute of Technology’s (FIT) graduate degree program for beauty industry executives, the trend is partly driven by the increased preferences for experiences over luxury purchases coming out of the last recession,” Tom Ryan at RetailWire writes.

Of course, this strategy is about more than just millennials. In the UK, there is a movement of the same name that “is aimed at anyone who needs more time and presents a space in which it is safe to take time to think,” says Slow Shopping.org. Their services are intended for disabled customers, elderly customers with dementia, people who may not be skilled at reading as well as those with anxiety.

Slow buying appeals to millennials and other customers because it puts the focus back on experiences over physical things. It’s also good for the elderly and those with anxiety because it reduces the stress and pressure often associated with grocery buying. Extra money aside, the concept is a win-win for grocers and c-store owners who want better customer satisfaction.

In short, slow shopping means customers must enjoy the experience first before buying any product related to or driven by those experiences.

If you are browsing Shoppok for example and a certain product caught your attention, you want to buy the product not only because you need it but also because you have a related experience enjoying the product.

Slow shopping can eliminate impulsive buying and can help consumers decide if they really need to buy a certain product or not.  This actually another term for upselling but in a slightly different way because stores allow customers to enjoy first before offering other products.

Slow buying can be mastered anyway to help you be more efficient when buying online whether through bigger platforms like Amazon and eBay or through classified ad sites like Craigslist, Shoppok, or Gumtree.

You can master slow shopping using the following methods.

1. Know What You Want To Buy

Having a list of things you want to buy is a big advantage especially if your money is just enough to buy those products. It will be a lot easier to escape the lurking feeling that presents itself every time you enter a store or visit an eCommerce site. If you need a bag, just focus on bags. If you need a book, just go to the bookstore. Lurking around will get you tempted to buy unnecessary things and could affect your budget. A list will also help you save a lot of time.

2. Buy What You Really Like

Now you have your list and it feels legit to buy a pair of socks, at all costs. Because you need them and they’re on the list. Nope. Try them on and buy what makes you fall in love.

Don’t buy them because they’re ok. You will want another pair in less than a month. There are a lot of choices in front of you so take time to find what you really like. Don’t buy because it was suggested on the widget or because it is cheaper than what you intend to pay, but it because it is perfect and you know you will not regret paying for it.

3. Think Twice Before Making Your Decision

There are many factors to consider when it comes to mindful shopping: sustainability, fair trade, ethical fashion, slow fashion, and so on. For example, while sustainability calls for a more positive environmental impact by the fashion industry (one example, how the production of clothes affect the environment), quality has to do with the sourcing of fabrics and the production of the garments.

It would always be wise to consider the source of materials of the product you are buying. Now all people are environmentalists but being aware that a polar bear is killed in order to produce the winter coat you like to buy can be a life-changing awareness. Of course, I’m not saying that you won’t buy it because a polar bear is killed, but there are also other things to consider like what you really want, the cost, quality, and the like.

Although some of these aspects are intertwined, being mindful can help you make a good decision not only today but also in your future purchases.

4. Buy On Sales, Bargains, And Discount Days (Closeout, Inventory Sales)

If you decide to slow shop too, and therefore aim at good quality clothes produced with good practices, you may want to wait for sales. Although it is true that higher standard comes with higher prices, the same quality can be available during inventory, clearance, and close-out sales.

There is nothing wrong with waiting when you aim for something and you can get that through waiting. Consider also buying second hand but good quality products. You may not be able to afford a £500 winter coat but you can get another for £210 with almost the same quality. If you buy another one, you’ll have two coats while saving £80. Not bad.

There are many ways to master and implement this type of buying online but only you can discover it by implementing the basics above. For example, if you are browsing Shoppok and you find something that interests you, don’t buy it immediately. Contact the seller and try to haggle. Give it more time and think of it many times before making a decision.

If you are interested in even more business-related articles and information from us here at Bit Rebels, then we have a lot to choose from.

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