Shopping
Viewfinder: Stocking Up on Sweets for the Holidays
Shoppers purchase sweets from a stall at the Manchester Christmas Market on November 9th, 2018.
PS Picks: BLK MKT Vintage
PS Picks is a selection of the best things that the magazine's staff and contributors are reading, watching, or otherwise paying attention to in the worlds of art, politics, and culture.
PS Picks: Emily Mester's Sharply Observed BuzzFeed Essay on Costco
PS Picks is a selection of the best things that the magazine's staff and contributors are reading, watching, or otherwise paying attention to in the worlds of art, politics, and culture.
The Shock of Seeing Your Body in 3-D
New technology will allow clothing-store patrons to get a much better look at their actual shape. Can we handle the truth?
How Ideology Drives Our Shopping Behavior
Politics does not stop at the mall's door.
More Evidence That Black Shoppers Are Subject to Racism
In a survey, 80 percent of African Americans reported experiencing racial stigma and stereotypes in stores.
Underwear of Uncertain Origin
On the strange afterlife of the goods we return to the store.
Grocery Store Design Is Terrible
It's almost like whoever designed the layout of the store is actually trying to trick us into staying inside of it longer.
The Fight Over Plastic Grocery Bags
A rare ballot referendum in California aims to keep the state from banning free, single-use bags. Why the challenge? Where California goes, the conventional wisdom has it, so goes the nation, particularly when it comes to the environment.
Why Shopping on an Empty Stomach Is a Bad Idea
Research suggests hunger makes us more acquisitive.
American Shopping Malls Are Still Disappearing
Shopping malls are shuttering their doors at a rapid rate. Is there any hope on the horizon?
Rude Salespeople Make You Buy Fancy Things
Being snubbed by a luxury store only increases your desire for its goods, according to a new study.
Sleep, Snuggle: In China, People Do Just About Everything in Ikea
What seems like appropriate behavior is a matter of cultural agreement.
Quick Study: Shop. Feel Bad. Shop More. Feel Better!
Embarrassed consumers tend to spend more money on "appearance-enhancing items," according to new research.
Will the Decline of Shopping Malls Mean More Abandoned Buildings?
Big-box stores continue to lose their grip.
How Long Until I Never Have to Leave Home for Anything?
Paul Hiebert wants to know when he'll be able to do everything from the comfort of his couch. The day is coming, and it doesn't appear too far away.
Chocolate: The Scent That Could Save Struggling Bookstores
Belgian researchers report the enticing aroma of chocolate inspired bookstore shoppers to stick around longer, and boosted sales of certain genres.
One Way to Get People to Stop Using Plastic Bags
Want to clean up the planet? Don’t dredge up the past.
Study: Male Shoppers Equate Prices Printed in Red With Bargains
New research finds male shoppers equate prices printed in red with bargains.
Research Confirms the Dangers of Shopping on an Empty Stomach
New research confirms that there is danger in going food shopping on an empty stomach.
Rebates at Grocery Stores Foster Healthy Eating
Can rebates on fruits and vegetables encourage us to shop more healthfully?
Why Conservatives Prefer Walmart to Trader Joe’s
New research finds conservatives tend to prefer name-brand products, and are less willing to purchase new or generic brands.
How Scents Can Change Shopping Behavior
New research shows that simple scents can get customers in the buying spirit