Does retail therapy really work?
In a Deloitte survey of over 114,000 people, 80% stated that they’d made at least one purchase in the past month to improve their mood. This survey suggests that the large majority of people tend to spend money, at least sometimes, to feel better. But does it work?
It depends on the situation, but while many people assign stigma to retail therapy, the Deloitte survey found evidence that it can be a positive outlet. For example, buying oneself a special treat or shopping to take a break from daily responsibilities can provide stress relief, comfort, relaxation, and release feel-good hormones that can effectively improve mood.
Like many things though, retail therapy can become an unhealthy habit. People may find themselves spending money they can’t afford to spend, feeling guilty about purchases, or purchasing more and more items in an effort to fill an emotional need. When shopping becomes excessive, it may be referred to as a shopping addiction.
What is the meaning of retail therapy?
The term “retail therapy” refers to any instance when you buy something to feel better, rather than just for utilitarian purposes. For example, if you’ve ever gone to a clothing store or coffee shop to buy a new top or a hot chocolate as a pick-me-up during a difficult day, you’ve engaged in retail therapy.
What is the difference between retail therapy and compulsive shopping?
The majority of people engage in retail therapy in moderation, buying themselves something every once-in-a-while to boost their mood. The difference between retail therapy and compulsive shopping is how problematic and frequent the activity is.
If someone is turning to shopping any time they feel down or continuing to spend money, even if they don’t have the money to spend, it may be considered a compulsion.
Other indicators of a compulsive shopping habit include how you feel afterwards. If you find yourself feeling guilty immediately after making a purchase or feeling as though you need to hide you spending from loved ones, it’s more likely a compulsive behavior.
How common is retail therapy?
A 2023 Deloitte survey of over 140,000 people across 23 countries found that nearly 80% of respondents had engaged in retail therapy at least once in the past month. This figure is substantially higher than previous estimates, and it suggests that retail therapy is highly prevalent (and not necessarily problematic) globally.
What is the negative impact of retail therapy?
When done in moderation, shopping therapy can be an effective way to improve your mood and feel empowered. However, it’s not always a good thing. Some negative outcomes can come from retail therapy if it becomes compulsive, including:
- Overspending
- Guilt
- Using shopping to avoid negative feelings
- Hiding spending from loved ones
- Inability to control spending
If you’re concerned by your shopping habits, it may be helpful to turn to family and friends for support. It can also be beneficial to work with a licensed talk therapist who can help you address the root causes of shopping compulsions, such as anxiety, depression, or high stress.
Why do people resort to retail therapy?
Retail therapy is a very common coping mechanism used to reduce stress, boost mood, relieve boredom, or motivate/reward oneself. The release of feel-good hormones like dopamine can come from shopping, and the decision to buy or refrain from buying items can provide a sense of control.
How does shopping work as a form of retail therapy?
Retail therapy is not a formal form of therapy, but instead it occurs any time someone makes a purchase (or chooses not to make a purchase) to boost their mood. Shopping can work as retail therapy by activating pleasurable regions of the brain and releasing feel-good hormones like dopamine (the same hormone that’s released when you eat something good or fall in love).
Why is it important to attend therapy regularly?
Attending therapy regularly, even when you’re not going through a challenging time, can make it easier for your therapist to identify issues proactively and help you address them before they become more serious.
If you’ve established care with a therapist you like working with, they’ll be ready to hit the ground running if/when a major life event or stressor—such as a career change, divorce, move, or serious illness—occurs.
Why does buying clothes make me happy?
Buying clothes is often a form of retail therapy. When you decide to buy (or even not buy) an item, your brain releases dopamine. This hormone is also released when you have sex, smell a steak grilling or cookies baking in the oven, or take drugs. It triggers a pleasurable feeling that can temporarily boost your mood and relieve feelings like sadness or stress.
When done in moderation, retail therapy can be a healthy way to relieve occasional boredom, gain a sense of control, reward yourself for your hard work, or improve your mood.
Is retail therapy a form of self-care?
If spending is not problematic or excessive, retail therapy can be a form of self-care that relieves occasional sadness and provides a sense of self-control and empowerment.
However, there are other forms of self-care which do not involve shopping that can also be beneficial. These include things like exercising, socializing, taking a warm bath, writing poetry, cooking a nutritious meal, spending time outdoors, listening to music, or meditating.