Waiting Around...Does It Lead to Impulse Buying? - Mar. 25, 2010

 We can be busy at Animal Essentials.

 You come in on a Saturday and there could be a dozen to 20 people in the store at any given time.

 There is never a pattern that allows you to say between noon and 2 p.m. we need to double up on staff because it is always busy.

 It could be 9:45 a.m. and there is a rush.

 One never knows.

 Now Ashley and I may be amateur sleuths, but we have always wondered if crowds attract crowds.

 Certainly, if you are downtown and someone is doing something a little out of the ordinary, it tends to draw a crowd. Someone is first, someone comes in and asks 'hey, what is happening here?" and so on.

 But Ashley and I have always wondered if you are passing a store and see half a dozen people in milling about, does it entice you to come through the doors as well?

 Subconciously, perhaps?

 Not sure.

 My major was journalist. Ashley will have a double major in education and kinesiology.

 Consumer trending is not what we studied but we are rather fascinated by it.

 Which leads to this question...does waiting in line prompt you to make impulse buys?

 My question was further put to the test this morning.

 Filled up my tank, collected a coffee and stood in line. For some reason, the debit machine took some time, but a women who was waiting behind me for about 60 seconds, suddenly bolted to her right and rummaged through some items on the shelf.

 She initially had a coffee and that was it. She left with a coffee, banana and something else.

 Were the banana and something else a product of waiting in line and having time to look around the store?

 Maybe, not sure.

 I would be interested in hearing from folks on this.

 Maybe it is just me, but who knows when I will have to write a thesis on something?

***

 By the way, we have a new kitty cat from the Fredericton SPCA. Joey arrived yesterday. He is mainly white with specific markings. Actually he is quite stunning at seven months old. Joey had a tough time adjusting and was content to stay in his kitty condo for most of the day. Come have a look. He joins Mr. Bunnykins, several hamsters and, of course, our fish as present livestock at Animal Essentials. Not including Tom, Colin and Ash by the way. Aunt Dawn and Karen are exempt from the needling!