Nowadays, many people believe that the high sales of popular consumer goods mainly reflect the power of advertising rather than the actual needs of society. I partly agree with this view because although advertising strongly influences consumer behaviour, genuine needs still play an important role in many cases.
To begin with, modern advertising is designed to persuade people emotionally rather than practically, making brands memorable through engaging stories and images. Effective advertising can attract attention and encourage purchases, which leads to higher sales and revenue. However, it often sells ideas and emotions rather than the product itself. For instance, when celebrities or influencers promote products on social media platforms, sales often increase rapidly. This clearly shows that consumers’ desires are sometimes driven by advertising appeal rather than product quality.
Nevertheless, advertising alone cannot guarantee long-term success. If a product fails to satisfy consumers, they are unlikely to continue buying it, no matter how attractive the advertisement is. More importantly, many consumers are able to distinguish between what they truly need and what they merely want. With greater access to information, people can compare prices, quality, and usefulness before making purchasing decisions. As a result, functional utility plays a crucial role in sustaining high sales. For example, products such as smartphones and household appliances remain popular not only because of advertising, but also because they are genuinely useful in everyday life.
In conclusion, while advertising plays an important role in influencing consumers and increasing short-term sales, it is not the only factor behind the success of popular products. In many situations, real needs, practical usefulness, and informed consumer choices are equally significant.