Between Frenzy and Collection: Towards a Characterization of Female Accumulative Buying Behavior

Abstract

Consumer markets are increasingly becoming places where consumers develop specific relationships with products and expectations of psychological benefits. For example, many women seem to treasure large numbers of shoes and bags without necessarily being compulsive. Drawing on consumer behavior theory, this research examines accumulative buying behavior among women so as to better characterize it and understand its dimensions and antecedents from a different perspective. A broad qualitative exploratory study is conducted and combines focus group technique with in-depth semi-structured interviews in order to revisit accumulative buying behavior, identify consumer motivations, and specify the major product categories related to this phenomenon. Results reveal a new approach of accumulative buying distinct from compulsion and collecting behavior.