Consumers

   Every single one of us is a consumer regardless if that is something we like or not, it is something that is essential for our survival. Consumers could be found within businesses or just as individuals, when companies purchase something from businesses to other businesses (B2B) or when consumers purchase something from a business (B2C). Consumer behaviour is the study of how we each act and what drives us to purchase the things we do. Consumer behaviour examines why we choose specific brands and products over their competitors and our purchasing habits. Understanding consumer behaviour helps marketers understand why people purchase the things we do and can help them create an effective marketing campaign to appeal to consumers. Specific products and purchase habits have potential of causing harm to our lives. The most common bad habit that usually is targeted at young adults because that is when they are becoming independent and making their own money and could potentially be life long consumers. Smoking companies are the huge on influencing young adults and getting them to develop and addiction to their products and feel like they are dependent on that smoke. Personally I have never really been addicted to a product. I have watched so many of my friends and been in relationships where my partner has gotten very addicted to Belmonts. They found that first thing they needed in the morning with their coffee was a smoke and started heavily relaying on this product. Due to the fact that they started smoking at the age of 19, they are more than likely to become life long consumers.

c  Compulsive consumption is another way that consumers can have other reasons for purchase behaviours. This one is something that effects me personally, compulsive consumption is when someone goes shopping to make themselves feel better. Sometimes when I have some time to kill and do not have anything better to do, a little afternoon shopping can make all the difference in my day. If I am having a really bad day sometimes shopping or just spending some money on something to treat myself like getting my nails done I found puts me in a better mood. Another addiction I find myself affected by is an addiction to technology. I work at WindMobile, and I found that as soon as a new phone came out I felt the need to get it. Although there was nothing wrong with my previous handset I went through a few years where I would change my phone every six months. 

   The environment around us has a huge impact also on our spending habits. Our geographical locations can impact our purchases. For example I visited Dubai last year over Christmas and I found that majority of their advertisements were focused around cars and geared towards a luxurious lifestyle. Majority of advertisements in Dubai were targeted towards the wealthier individuals. There was a mall that was all high end brand names. The mall was full of people that had that kind of money to spend. I was amazed that there was a whole mall fully devoted to brand names. When I visited New York City I stayed in Times Square the heart of the city. I found that although both of these cities have huge markets they targeted different consumer types. As Dubai focused on the lifestyle aspect of consumers New York focused mainly on a differentiation in products and services. There are so many people in New York and it is a more condensed city that the need for cars is not as large of a market as it is in Dubai. People in Dubai take great pride in their cars, and have them parked by entrances and everyone takes pictures with all the nice high end cars. At the beginning of my trip i was amazed by the nice cars, however, closer towards the end of my trip I found that I had adapted to seeing nice cars everywhere. However, in New York most people don't even own a car. They spend most of their money on products and services as it is a city that never sleeps. I found both of these cities were huge and advertising was mainly focused by using bright lights to attract you, however being there the kind of products and services you spend your money on will vary.