Need+ Want+ Value+ Emotion= Happy Shopper Squared!

As a shopper and retailer, I am constantly looking into new ways to motivate and understand the reasons that shoppers shop. What brings you to a store? What causes you to purchase and what makes you go weak in the knees-thereby igniting your emotional response to an item you want to buy?

Need is truly personal-if you need something, that sends you out on a mission-ie; the need for something. While you are there or on your way to your need based destination, what causes you to stop and look? Is it a sale sign? Is it a gorgeous feature of a product? Or is it a retail store that literally pops and causes you to inquire within?

Want is another thing entirely. I, for example, could be shopping for something I need and suddenly I am distracted by something I want. That's when the emotion part of the equation comes into play and I usually figure how to justify want over need. Do I really need another something or other? But I really want it! The answer to that, if you are me is YES!

Next up is value. Value and affordability sort of go hand in hand, so if I score a great item on sale, I am happy that I have acquired the item at a great value. Who wouldn't be? But items that are not on the 'great value' spectrum but score high on the want spectrum make a shopper stop and think before they buy. We reason and justify an expensive purchase which makes us evaluate the quality of the item, an important factor too. Value can make or break a purchase decision.

Last is the most influential of all variables in the equation. EMOTION! Shoppers are nothing if not influenced by emotion. Like the $1600.00 Valentino boots I saw on line. Lord knows I don't need them but I want them! The value is there in the quality and feature of the boots, yet the price makes me hesitate to click the BUY button. But it's the emotion that keeps me thinking about them-so much so that I haven't been able to clear that window on my computer. I keep going to that window on my iPad to look at them every few days, hoping I can x-out of it and go on without them...but I can't. My emotional attachment to boots- that aren't even mine- keep me coming back for more.

These are just a few observations on how I shop. Now I want to know how you shop?

So let's do this, I'm going to put up a poll on the side bar with some answers to see what your shopping habits really are! Take the poll and give me your opinion. You will really be helping me out and doing a bit of community service at the same time.

And if I've ignited a fire within the shopper in you, feel free to visit www.candybarcosmetics.com. 

Emily Post 101: A Survey

Is emailing a thank you note acceptable etiquette? The answer may surprise you.

The experts say handwritten thank you's are still tops, but there are exceptions to the rule. According to Emily Post, a handwritten note is preferred for gifts, but if the gift comes from a close friend or relative an email note is acceptable. The other exception is a thank you for a job interview. In that case an email thank you is highly encouraged and can aid your chances for the position.

I would venture to guess that in this wired age of technology, easy and instant email communication with another individual is not only acceptable, but eco-friendly. What would all the "greenies" say to Emily Post?

I will admit that I love a quick note in my inbox, expressing gratitude and well wishes, but I also understand the impact of a note taken from pen to paper. The handwritten note has become a lost art form. I read once that Princess Diana was a stickler for thank you notes. She always hand wrote her thank you's and always within 24 hours of the gesture. Blue bloods steeped in tradition, but it drives home the point about the importance of saying thank you.

Tell me what you think.

It's Just My Bag

I've always been obsessed with bags. I love all kinds of bags; handbags, totes, backpacks, clutch bags, you name it and I've got it and chances are I own it in almost every color, size shape and fabric. So it should come as no surprise to you that I sell all kinds of bags at The Candy Bar. This being my first few months of selling accessories, I wanted to conduct a survey of sorts to find out the buying habits of women and their bags so I can better buy for The Candy Bar.

Women carry handbags for a plethora of reasons, but nothing is more recognizable as a symbol of style and status than a woman's handbag. There are those like me who get all giddy with pleasure at the sight of a new, gorgeous bag. There are thousands of websites and blogs devoted to everything and anything handbag related. The building above is designed to look like a handbag and it houses the Simone Handbag Museum in Seoul, South Korea. A testament to architecture or fashion? A testament to the love of a woman's constant companion, her handbag.

To my blogger buddies, I ask you to do the following: Ask your wives, girlfriends, friends, significant others the following questions and respond. If you are out there reading this, and you don't have a blogger account, email me your answers. I want to know what women want, think and need when it comes to a handbag purchase.


1. Do you buy designer handbags or are you a bargain handbag shopper?

2. What is the price point you consider to be "expensive"? What is the price point you consider to be "reasonable"?

3. Do you prefer a tote or a more structured handbag?

4. Do fabrics and colors factor in you purchase?

5. Do you buy always handbag for yourself or have you received one as a gift that you liked and used?

6. How many handbags would you say that you have in your closet? Which is your go to bag?

7. If you are going to spend over $500.00 on a bag, will it be a designer with a recognizable logo?


And in case you were wondering, all handbags at The Candy Bar are currently 30-50% off the original price.