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Shoppers know fast fashion harms environment but keep buying: study

A new study from RMIT University suggests that environmental awareness alone may not stop people from buying ultra-fast fashion. Shoppers weigh sustainability against price and convenience, using budgets and careful planning to make purchases feel more acceptable. The study identifies two psychological patterns, strategic spontaneity a...

SourceRMIT University·JournalJournal of Global Fashion Marketing·TypeCase study·DateSep 20, 2026

How you feel about fast-food brands can predict overall diet quality

A new study suggests that a fondness for well-known fast-food and sugar-sweetened beverage brands can predict poorer diet quality, even among those who rate these brands as unhealthy. The research found that participants who liked fast-food brands not only consumed more fat and sugar but also tended to perceive those brands as healthier.

SourceUniversity of Technology Sydney·JournalJournal of Health Communication·TypeSurvey·DateSep 10, 2026

Do customer loyalty programs actually work? The benefits are in the eye of the cardholder

A study by Edith Cowan University found that customer loyalty programs work best when retailers offer personalized benefits, provide exceptional customer service, and are transparent about their pricing. The research highlights the importance of trust, commitment, and perceived benefits in customer engagement with loyalty programs.

SourceEdith Cowan University·JournalEuropean Journal of Marketing·TypeSurvey·DateAug 26, 2026

Groundbreaking TSESOM framework redefines sustainable operations for botanic gardens

The TSESOM framework proposes a dynamic service ecosystem approach to manage sustainable operations in botanic gardens, integrating biodiversity research and ecosystemic thinking. It offers a flexible tool for transformative collaboration and innovation, supporting planetary health and global sustainability transitions.

SourceSouth China Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences·JournalBiological Diversity·TypeLiterature review·DateJun 16, 2026

Citizens as political actors, not individual consumers: new study calls for tighter advertising regulations

A new study suggests that commercial marketing logics can hinder the effectiveness of promoting degrowth, a concept proposing an equitable reduction in production and consumption. Instead, non-commercial messaging led by institutions empowering communities is proposed as a more effective approach to shaping values and worldviews.

SourceUniversitat Autonoma de Barcelona·JournalPLOS Sustainability and Transformation·TypeSurvey·DateMay 29, 2026

Missing information can misinform

A study by Marta Serra-Garcia examines how incentives in the online attention economy shape scientific communication, finding that attention-driven summaries are not more likely to be factually inaccurate but tend to include less information. The research reveals a trade-off between engaging content and conveying accurate details.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalAmerican Economic Review·TypeExperimental study·DateMay 7, 2026

New study suggests ‘freedom framing’ more effective than mandates for vaccine-hesitant Americans

Researchers propose a new approach to overcoming vaccine hesitancy by framing vaccines in terms of personal autonomy and freedom, which showed greater willingness among those with higher concerns. The study suggests that traditional universal approaches may not be effective for everyone, highlighting the importance of individual values.

SourceUniversity of Houston·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateMay 6, 2026

Odometer inattention costs used car buyers

Research from the University of Texas at Austin finds that consumers pay up to $170 extra per vehicle when buying a used car with nearly identical mileage but one digit off, due to left-digit bias. This phenomenon can result in higher prices for cars just below round numbers like 20,000 or 50,000.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·DateApr 22, 2026

Field tests: Clearing aisle islands boosts sales

A study by University of Innsbruck researchers found that removing secondary product displays in crowded supermarket aisles increases sales by 11.5% due to increased browsing and interactions. Shopping carts amplify the negative effects, making narrow aisles feel tighter and reducing perceived control.

SourceUniversity of Innsbruck·JournalPLOS One·TypeExperimental study·DateApr 22, 2026

Do TV ads work? Ask smart TVs

A new study reveals traditional TV ads deliver less than expected impact, with promotions, recency, programming, and habits playing a crucial role in ad effectiveness. The research uses smart TV data to measure causal impact on consumer purchases, providing insights for advertisers and improving TV networks' measurement capabilities.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalMarketing Science·DateApr 1, 2026

Digital targeting creeps out customers

Researchers find that personalized digital marketing can evoke a powerful emotional response, leading consumers to feel uncomfortable and less likely to make purchases. To mitigate this 'creepiness,' brands can focus on prevention by designing personalization practices that minimize ambiguity and avoid signals of intrusive surveillance.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalPsychology and Marketing·DateMar 2, 2026

New research offers businesses a playbook for surviving social media firestorms

A new study from Binghamton University School of Management provides a framework for organizations to anticipate, interpret, and respond to social media backlash. The toolkit identifies four phases of online social disapproval and offers guiding questions and analytical indicators to aid in early detection, response, and recovery.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Business Strategy·TypeMeta-analysis·DateFeb 26, 2026

Shopping for two is stressful

A University of California - Riverside study found that purchasing goods or services to be shared generates significantly more anxiety. Learning about others' preferences can reduce stress and increase confidence, but not if there are differing expectations.

SourceUniversity of California - Riverside·JournalJournal of Marketing Research·TypeObservational study·DateDec 2, 2025

For battered brands, consumers can be defenders

Researchers identified three types of online brand defenders: promoters (emotionally attached), justice promoters (fairness driven), and self-promoters (ego-driven). Companies can encourage promoters by acknowledging them, while justice promoters require a sense of fairness. Self-promoters are motivated by attention and rewards.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalJournal of Interactive Marketing·DateOct 29, 2025

How can (A)I help you?

A new study by Yifan Yu offers guidance on how to deploy emotion AI in various scenarios, emphasizing the importance of balancing human involvement with AI's emotional detection capabilities. The analysis showed that emotion AI works best when integrated with human employees, and some scenarios are better handled by humans alone.

SourceUniversity of Texas at Austin·JournalManagement Science·DateOct 28, 2025

One bad safety review can tank an Airbnb booking — Even among thousands of positive ones, new study finds

A new study found that safety-related reviews on Airbnb can reduce bookings and lower nightly prices, with a significant impact from personal experiences. The study suggests increasing transparency to balance financial incentives with customer welfare, providing the greatest long-term benefits.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalMarketing Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 27, 2025

Cambridge scientist uncovers cunning way to double the sales of the famous Greggs Vegan Sausage Roll – and in an open letter, shares the technique with key people at Greggs

A new strategy to increase low-emission food consumption has been found effective in controlled choice experiments with 3,000 participants. The 'nudge by proxy' approach highlights consumer motivations rather than environmental impacts, significantly outperforming traditional carbon footprint labelling.

Want to stay motivated? Think about time, not money

Researchers at Binghamton University found that focusing on the time invested in a goal, rather than the monetary cost, can enhance self-determination and increase persistence. This approach can be particularly effective for DIY customers, helping to reduce unhappiness and increase job satisfaction.

SourceBinghamton University·JournalJournal of Consumer Marketing·TypeSurvey·DateJul 29, 2025

Do you trust me now?

Researchers found that plain language summaries increase consumer trust by 2-5% and willingness to share personal info. However, companies should avoid using these summaries to hide malicious practices.

SourceUniversity of Georgia·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateJun 4, 2025

Efforts to reduce TikTok screen time often increase usage

Researchers found that digital detox interventions on TikTok led to increased usage among users who were less skeptical of advertising, viewing the platform as more authentic. In contrast, users with higher skepticism showed no significant change in behavior. The study highlights the potential backfire effects of well-intentioned effor...

SourceUniversity of Mississippi·JournalJournal of Public Policy & Marketing·DateMay 20, 2025

Luxury brands’ use of NFTs as digital twins may undermine the perceived value of physical products, study finds

A new study from Bar-Ilan University and University of Agder reveals that linking luxury items to NFTs can harm their perceived value by introducing a sense of temporariness. The research suggests that luxury brands must strike a balance between innovation and maintaining their heritage to avoid devaluing their physical products.

SourceBar-Ilan University·JournalJournal of the Association for Consumer Research·DateApr 28, 2025