Age is widely regarded as a key factor in customers’ purchasing behavior compared with other factors. In my view, this is completely true, as younger generations tend to buy more trendy and fashionable items or products, while older individuals are keen on useful and practical products. Moreover, shopping habits also largely depend on each generation’s interests.
Firstly, the younger generation, especially teenagers, is heavily influenced by viral trends and social media. There is no doubt that many young people tend to buy fashionable or even impractical products that are promoted online, simply to imitate celebrities or influencers they follow. They always monitor the latest fashion events and dream of getting some flashy or unusual goods that they see on the Internet. As a result, many of them eventually purchase these products to feel a sense of satisfaction and social belonging.
Furthermore, younger individuals are interested in technology. Nowadays, there is a great deal of information about technological advances all across the Internet that most young people find increasingly useful, and they follow these videos or articles because they want to use better devices or be surrounded by machines that make their lives noticeably more convenient. For instance, people aged 19 to 30 often own at least five different household appliances in their homes, ranging from microwaves to robot vacuum cleaners, which help take some of the workload off their shoulders.
Secondly, the older generations are more aware of what they want and what they are willing to purchase. People from older age groups frequently follow certain rules when they are about to buy something. For example, they constantly keep track of discounts in local grocery stores or pharmacies; they look for better quality in the items they plan to buy. Usually, they do not follow any trends since they do not take them seriously and consider them cringe. Consequently, they save more money for their basic needs or taxes that they pay.
To conclude, I firmly believe that purchasing habits rely considerably on people’s age due to their preferences, the influence of social media, and fashion events.