Buying control
Shopping habits are driven by many emotions, including fear. In countries like South
Africa and Mexico, the continuing need for personal and home security feeds a
burgeoning security market. But brands
across all sectors are seeking to return a
sense of control to consumers, recognising
the need to rebuild trust by emphasising
factors such as food safety, protection of
privacy and a green and ethical pedigree
for their products. Widely reported instances
of greenwashing by brands—the recent Volkswagen clean energy scandal being a
well-reported example—as well as various food safety scandals—several involving
tainted dairy products in the Asia Pacific region—have seen consumers warm to
sustainable and organic products and services. They feel more in control when they
buy green, and this is a trend that will continue. Euromonitor International forecasts
that real sales of organic dairy products in the Asia Pacific region will reach US$2.1
billion in 2016, a rise of 18.4% on 2015 sales.
US$2.1 bn
Forecasted sales of organic dairy
products in Asia Pacific in 2016
Source: iStock
Shopping for Control
© EUROMONITOR INTERNATIONAL 37
The need to be in control and be safe is affecting consumers’ choice of shopping
environment. Buying online from the comfort of our home cocoons or in
other spaces we visit is clearly an
option that continues to appeal
more everywhere. Euromonitor
International forecasts that globally,
consumers will spend US$1,152
billion online in 2016 in real terms,
a rise of 16.3% on 2015 online sales. In
countries such as Kenya, where online scams are rife, online shoppers often prefer to
pay for their goods via cash on delivery. One Nigerian consumer writing on African
tech forum radar.techcabal.com, revealed that he trusts online payment platforms,
but has no faith in internet stores to deliver as promised.
In the US, the wish for control over the way our lives appear to others is popularising
a service called Invisible Boyfriend, where a stranger sends voice and text messages
pretending to be a real boyfriend or girlfriend, paid for with a monthly fee. The wish
for self-control is also continuing to spur consumer openness to taking medication to
boost work performance, reduce anxiety or enhance mood.