Sneakers and consumerism bring about endless complexities. Both are complicated independently. However, when the two are tied together, they bring even more complex issues. Purchasing sneakers is nowhere near as simple as it used to be in the recent and distant past.
Sneaker Buying Habits
Many sneaker enthusiasts often reminisce about the days of being able to pull up to their local sneaker store on a release day and buying a pair in their size with ease. Now, tons of footwork and online work is necessary just to have a chance of buying the wanted sneakers. The online world has taken over the sneaker community. It has become rare to see retailers advertise first-come-first-serve releases. At the end of the day, many businesses don’t want to deal with the headaches of people acting a fool waiting hours in line and potentially causing commotion to the local community.
Footwear are usually considered a basic necessity of life in most countries around the world. In Western culture, virtually everyone has a pair of sneakers even if they don’t consider themselves a “sneakerhead.” The sneaker market has seen exponential growth over the past five or so years.
Ultimately, countless retailers and boutiques have drastically altered their releases to deal with less hassle and drama. Many brands don’t seem to care who gets their hands on pairs. As long as they can clear out stock efficiently, something must be working.
Online shopping has taken over the sneaker world with no signs of slowing down.
Mass Consumerism
People all over the United States buy goods just to buy them. A new table needs a new book which needs a new bookshelf which needs a new lamp. Many stores are physically set up to get customers to buy more than they originally expected. Someone can go into a store with a list of three items and come out with well over ten due to unintentional buying habits.
Social media often emphasizes that “more is better.” However, having more sneakers isn’t always the answer due to countless reasons. First, you can only wear one pair at a time. Buying more shoes brings along more maintenance, storage, and time needed to decide which pair to wear. Also, buying more sneakers isn’t always the most financially sound decision.
The concept of delayed gratification comes with being financially responsible. Sometimes you have to put off a new sneaker purchase due to more important matters (rent/mortgage, bills, repairs, food, etc.)
Another important reason why buying more sneakers aren’t always a smart decision is because of the fact that many sneaker enthusiasts get caught up and buy pairs with no objective in mind. “Mindless purchases” have become a major issue in the sneaker world. Peer pressure and feeling the need to “keep up” will have someone buy sneakers they don’t really want or need.
Sneakers and Consumerism: Looking to the Future
Mass consumerism is no stranger to the sneaker world as well. Sneaker enthusiasts are often looking for their next purchase before they even make a purchase now. Brands push out endless pairs of sneakers for customers to buy and quickly get bored of. After one release, countless consumers are looking to the next with no signs of looking back.
The majority of sneaker buying will be done mostly online for the foreseeable future. Every now and then retailers will do in-person raffles or first-come-first-serve releases, but online releases will continue to the the frontrunner.
Consumers all around the sneaker world seek to keep up with news and trends on a daily basis. The sneaker community is extremely trend-driven and looks to bring back countless of the same customers on a continuous basis.
Sneakers and consumerism will have a complex relationship. The point of being a sneaker enthusiast is to buy sneakers you like. However, mass consumerism and even over-consumerism slowly creep up on countless individuals. The sneaker world will undergo changes that will pave the way for the role of consumerism in the near and distant future.
