Over 2 billion people worldwide are either overweight or obese, and it is leading to health problems and a rising number of deaths, according to a new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine. Obesity rates doubled in 73 of the 195 countries the study analyzed; the US topped the rankings with the largest percentage increase of any country. Unhealthy food purchases are considered to be a key factor driving this global problem.
In 2010, the Journal of Consumer Research published an article written by three marketing students analyzing the influence of different paymentA transfer of funds which discharges an obligation on the part of a payer vis-à-vis a payee. More instruments on the proportion of impulsive purchases, especially regarding unhealthy food. During the study, shopping baskets of 1,000 households were examined over a period of 6 months.
Findings demonstrate that card payments increase the number of impulsive purchases, of which “vice products” – such as cookies and pies – are part. When using a painless payment methodSee Payment instrument. More, consumers have nothing that restrains them from buying and tend to indulge in all their desires. On the contrary, pain of payment proves to curb the impulsive responses. CashMoney in physical form such as banknotes and coins. More is considered as a painful payment mode because of its emotional aspect. Consumers can tangibly feel the moneyFrom the Latin word moneta, nickname that was given by Romans to the goddess Juno because there was a minting workshop next to her temple. Money is any item that is generally accepted as payment for goods and services and repayment of debts, such as taxes, in a particular region, country or socio-economic context. Its onset dates back to the origins of humanity and its physical representation has taken on very varied forms until the appearance of metal coins. The banknote, a typical representati... More going out of their wallet and are more conscious about prices. Cash purchases are thus less impulsive and contain a smaller proportion of vice products.
More recently, Martina Eschelbach from the Deutsche Bundesbank demonstrated that cash has a disciplinary effect and protects consumers from unnecessary spending in a paperSee Banknote paper. More aptly entitled “Pay cash, buy less trash? Evidence from German payment diary data”. She concludes that ‘the probability of an unplanned purchase subsequently being considered unnecessary is around 10% lower when paid in cash.’