What is Impulse Buying in Retail? Explained

Impulse buying in retail is the spontaneous and unplanned purchase of a product by a consumer. This behavior is influenced by factors such as product placement, attractive displays, limited-time promotions, and psychological triggers, leading customers to make unplanned decisions. Retailers strategically design store layouts and marketing strategies to capitalize on this behavior, often placing enticing items near checkout counters to encourage last-minute additions to a customer's shopping basket. Impulse buying contributes to increased sales and is a key focus in retail merchandising.