Shopping

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.

• By Angela Serratore
• Member Exclusive

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.

• By Varun Nayar
• Member Exclusive

New technology will allow clothing-store patrons to get a much better look at their actual shape. Can we handle the truth?

• By Tom Jacobs

Politics does not stop at the mall's door.

• By Tom Jacobs

In a survey, 80 percent of African Americans reported experiencing racial stigma and stereotypes in stores.

• By Tom Jacobs

On the strange afterlife of the goods we return to the store.

• By Andy Kroll

It's almost like whoever designed the layout of the store is actually trying to trick us into staying inside of it longer.

• By Rick Paulas

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.

• By Bill Raden

Research suggests hunger makes us more acquisitive.

• By Tom Jacobs

Shopping malls are shuttering their doors at a rapid rate. Is there any hope on the horizon?

• By Kate Wheeling

Being snubbed by a luxury store only increases your desire for its goods, according to a new study.

• By Paul Bisceglio

What seems like appropriate behavior is a matter of cultural agreement.

• By Lisa Wade

Why do we shop? And what does it mean today?

• By Paul Hiebert

Embarrassed consumers tend to spend more money on "appearance-enhancing items," according to new research.

• By Tom Jacobs

Big-box stores continue to lose their grip.

• By Kaid Benfield

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.

• By Paul Hiebert

Belgian researchers report the enticing aroma of chocolate inspired bookstore shoppers to stick around longer, and boosted sales of certain genres.

• By Tom Jacobs

Want to clean up the planet? Don’t dredge up the past.

• By Tom Jacobs

New research finds male shoppers equate prices printed in red with bargains.

• By Tom Jacobs

New research confirms that there is danger in going food shopping on an empty stomach.

• By Tom Jacobs

Can rebates on fruits and vegetables encourage us to shop more healthfully?

• By Kevin Charles Fleming

New research finds conservatives tend to prefer name-brand products, and are less willing to purchase new or generic brands.

• By Tom Jacobs

New research shows that simple scents can get customers in the buying spirit

• By Joel Smith

Before viewing the retail experience became the province of TVs and tablets, if you wanted to see possible presents dancing around you had to head to the windows of downtown department stores.

• By Matt Novak