In Covid lockdown times online shopping has been a savior. It is a good facility as long as it does not turn into an addiction. The rise of e-commerce sites, flash sales, deal offers and credit facilities make online shopping an attractive activity.
Online platforms know what one is interested in and do nudge us towards buying them. Sponsored online ads are targeted towards exploiting the concept of cue-reactivity (excitement from shopping clues) and craving (irresistible desire to purchase).
Definition. Shopping addiction is a compulsive desire to shop, manifesting into a preoccupation with buying and shopping despite negative consequences. The addiction can be harmful to a person’s physical and emotional health, personal relationships, financial status and professional life. Shopping addiction has names like:
Factors that encourage online shopping. These are as follows:
• People want to avoid crowded markets and shops. • Privacy of online shopping. • Constant availability. • Availability of large variety. • Immediate gratification.
Signs of online shopping addiction Some of the signs are as follows:
• Thinking about online shopping all the time. • Getting upset on denial of online shopping. • Online shopping makes you feel good and relaxed. • Guilt feeling later on. • Spending less time on other important things • Buying things not needed. • Buying unaffordable things. • Financial troubles. • Arguments with close relatives over it.
Remedy. Ways to get over the habit / addiction are as follows:
• Unsubscribe from all promotional emails. • Block the shopping sites. • Delete shopping apps from mobile and other devices. • Adopt alternate methods of feeling good and lifting your mood. • Get Help.
While the USA would like to have a unipolar world, and bi-polar Asia, China wants to have a Bi-polar world and Uni-polar Asia. India would soon be the third most powerful world power and would prefer a multipolar world.
Overall it is a very comprehensive research work covering all aspects related to a very relevant subject.
