06 Nov, 2009
SHOPTIMISM: “Why the American Consumer Will Keep On Buying No Matter What” by Lee Eisenberg
Posted by: Beach Reporter In: shopping
SHOPTIMISM: “Why the American Consumer Will Keep On Buying No Matter What” by Lee Eisenberg
Published by Free Press
This is a fascinating and in-depth look at why people shop and buy the way they do. The author, who was EVP of Land’s End and Editor in Chief at Esquire, writes with humor, emotion and as one who has thoroughly researched his subject from every possible angle the past three years–from going with his wife to observe how she purchases “a little black dress” to working as a clerk in Target to analyzing scholarly data on buying and selling.
You’ll learn about the difference between wanting and needing, classic vs. romantic buying, the psychology of men and women shoppers, and even about such interesting tidbits as deadmalls.com. Like Vance Packard did with his 1957 epic, “The Hidden Persuaders,” Lee Eisenberg’s “Shoptimism” will be around a long time, not only as a delightfully entertaining and insightful read but as a reference resource on what makes people tick when it comes to buying and selling.
No matter good times or bad, the author thinks we’ll continue to buy because there’s plenty of good to be bought and “to have is to be”. With its flair for optimism, this book couldn’t have come out at a better time. Review by- C. MacDonald
