Jun 07, 2020 18:00:00

Why is it difficult to overcome the temptations of online shopping amid the epidemic of new coronaviruses?

The pandemic of the new coronavirus infectious disease (COVID-19) is changing the way people live around the world,

and it has also been found that online shopping demand has never been greater. Regarding the question 'Why do you fall in love with online shopping under the influence of COVID-19?', Adrian R. Camilleri , Senior Lecturer at the Technical University of Sydney, and Eugene Y. Chan at Purdue University Explained by the professor.

Can't resist splurging on online shopping? Here's why
https://theconversation.com/cant-resist-splurging-on-online-shopping-heres-why-138938

In response to the growing demand for online shopping, in the last week of April 2020, 2 million parcels per day were

delivered by the Australian Postal Service all over Australia , which is more than 90% over the previous year. .. We also found that between May 11 and 17, food purchases increased by 230%, furniture and office supplies by 140%, and alcohol and tobacco by 45%.

It's no wonder that online shopping demand is increasing in many product categories, such as food and clothing, as people have to stay abreast of their outings restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic. But Camilleri and colleagues point out that there are psychological reasons behind people being attracted to online shopping.

Pandemics have forced people over the last few months to become financially unreliable, unable to meet loved ones, and forced major changes in their daily lives. In order to deal with these great stresses, a method called 'shopping' may be taken. Studies have shown that high levels of stress increase people's willingness to buy, and shopping is a way to reduce negative emotions and escape from reality.

A 2013 study compared Israelis living near the Gaza Strip , a Palestinian administrative division that is in tension with Israel, with Israelis living far from Gaza. As a result, it turned out that people living in stressful environments around Gaza have a stronger materialistic tendency than those who do not, and there is a strong desire to 'shop to relieve stress.' I will.

Camilleri et al. point out that shopping is a kind of entertainment in the situation where facilities such as movie theaters and restaurants are unavailable due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Shopping excites people, increases their involvement with things, makes them feel free, and creates a sense of fantasy satisfaction. Past

studies have also shown that it is difficult to delay people's satisfaction, and they buy cosmetics, clothes, shoes, etc. even when they are out of the office.

Another factor that is attracting people to online shopping is that there is no 'pain caused by face-to-face payments.' Most people don't want to lose money, but some research shows that the psychological pain of a transaction depends on the type of transaction, and rather than physically paying in cash, you can operate the keyboard and press the purchase button. Camilleri and colleagues said that psychological hurdles are lower.

In addition, “an embarrassing product to buy outside” is growing in popularity because the anonymity of online shopping is maintained and people around them do not know what they bought. Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic , sales of sex toys have surged, and sales of lingerie and other items have also risen .

Companies are taking various measures to respond to these changes in consumer trends. For example, a restaurant, which has not previously provided online delivery services, has begun delivery services, and offers discounts for online purchases, allowing companies to sell in a pandemic where sales at physical stores cannot be expected. Trying to secure.

'Unfortunately, online purchases are easy, and the motivation of those who are uplifting and seeking entertainment is high, putting many people at risk of wasting and financial stress,' said Camilleri. ' Create a budget or spending plan, and if you feel like buying something online, remember that 'I'm in a loose wallet right now' and instead of looking at a shopping site, call someone to relieve loneliness. We recommended such measures.