Age group is considered as the largest factor in people’s shopping habits. Although age plays a significant role, I believe culture and hobbies are equally impactful.
On the one hand it is true that the younger a person is, the more likely he is to buy more. Though it may vary from person to person, most young people are impulsive and lack long-term thinking. This, in turn, leaves them vulnerable to aggressive advertising campaigns by companies. To illustrate, many people young people are obsessed with I-phones, which they tend to upgrade every single year without really having the need to. By contrast, older people are usually more reserved, choosing to save their money than to spend on item they do not need.
On the other hand, culture also plays an important role in people’s shopping habits. In other words, people in consumerist cultures often spend more money and time shopping than those living in a society where it is frowned upon and children are taught to be frugal. For instance, young people in Uzbekistan are taught to reuse, recycle and repair instead of buying a new one.
Another key factor in shopping habits is individuals’ free-time activities. There is no doubt that shopping has now become a hobby. Therefore, people who spend their leisure time shopping tend to do it more often than others. For example, friends who go out shopping in their spare time spend more time and money on it than those who play football.
In conclusion, despite the significance of age, I believe culture and leisure activities are equally important in people’s shopping habits. Therefore, age should not become a scapegoat when encouraging people to be mindful of their excessive shopping.