The future of consumerism

Someone just asked me to post writings from generic topics. And this is one I could recollect - the future of consumerism. Selling the right products to the right people at the right time and price is going to be a major challenge going forward, and only so because this will make sellers end up interfering peoples personal lives to an extent that can only be imagined!

Imagine you just talk to a friend about having a pizza or SMS someone about shopping gifts. Within minutes, this data will be available at centralized databases - collected when you surf the net, call up people, or simply SMS. Software engines will work incessantly to analyze all this and send out alerts to the nearest shopping outlets which will then bombard you with offers that 'fit-your-pocket' and 'resemble-your-lifestyle'. Before you can think, you would have bought some and your bank account will be electronically debited.

And there is little to imagine, since its something hitting us hard. We are already spending electronically in shops, food malls, petrol pumps and their ilk. And a reason to support is that it's increasingly getting spontaneous. Answer to why chocolates are stored near the billing counter - to trigger your impulsive side and add to their 'top line'.

Now if that sounds harsh, imagine when your wife, kids and parents start doing this to your account. Soaring salaries mean no sense, right? Marketing guys have a tough job ahead! And consumers, even tougher!

Ding...times up!

[BTW: Top line refers to company revenues. Usually the top line of the balance sheet states the company's revenues/sales.]