Impulse Shoppers Behaviors

Students at the University of New Hampshire's Whittemore School of Business have released some of the results of their study on Impulse Shopping.

The study, "Observable Cognitive Function in the Purchasing Process: A Study of Quickly Identifying Impulse Buying Behaviors in Consumers" found a few interesting results:

1. Impulse buyers have certain cognitive skills.

2. Retailers can train their salespeople to identify these buyers.

3. Rigid customers are a tough cookie to crack for salespeople.

Many questions come to mind when I read the press release about the study.

1. Is their a maximum price level when the "impulse" stops?

2. Does impulse buying depend on product categories?

3. Does impulse buying vary depending on gender, income level, customer loyalty or a whole host of other variables?

I aked myself whether I thought I was an impulse buyer. My answer - it varies depending on the item, my mood and why I am at the store.

Are you an impulse buyer? What about your customers?