In response to Doug K's question

What factors most heavily impact your impulse buying? Do you think that companies can predict impulse buying, if so how? If not what can we do better to predict them?

I don't do much impulse buying anymore but I used to. Going into a grocery store or any store that has food, candy, soda and drinks is what we call impulse buying. These stores put these items there on purpose. They want you to impulse buy while you are waiting in line to check out. I know this because I've worked in a place like that before and I've been one who impulse buys while waiting line. Sometimes I hadn't had lunch yet or dinner so grabbing a candy bar for the ride home would hold me over till then. I can definitely control my impulse buying now for the most part but when I was young I had no idea.
Companies know that people tend to impulse buy while waiting in line to check out and they also set up these end caps at stores so people will be more likely to grab something as they walk by. I work at target and thats why our end caps are so important, that is where a lot of our sales come from. Companies can definitely predict impulse buying which is why check lanes are set up the way there are. Even having good deals on products or specials will help with impulse buying. I've gone into a store before not planning on coming out with what I did, but the deals were to good to pass up. Stores know what they are doing and plan on people to impulse buy.

If more and more people understood impulse buying and that companies do this to get you to buy, do you think people would still do it? Would they cut back on the candy bars and magazine spending as they wait in line? Or do people just not care and or notice?