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9990 · 2.2.3

Consumer behaviour and personal space

9990 Consumer — proxemics, territoriality, and crowding in retail and service contexts.

Need to know

What you need to know

  • Proxemics is the study of interpersonal distances and their behavioural consequences.
  • Retail interactions occur in Hall's personal (1.5-4ft) and social (4-12ft) zones.
  • Invasion of personal space, like the 'butt-brush effect', can lead to lost sales.
  • Store layout is a key tool for managing proxemics to influence consumer comfort and behaviour.

Explanation

Consumer behaviour and personal space

  1. Proxemics is the study of interpersonal distances and their behavioural consequences.
  2. Retail interactions occur in Hall's personal (1.5-4ft) and social (4-12ft) zones.
  3. Invasion of personal space, like the 'butt-brush effect', can lead to lost sales.
  4. Store layout is a key tool for managing proxemics to influence consumer comfort and behaviour.