A recent survey indicates that Russians are likely to make more purchases in 2023 that do not meet their needs compared with the previous year. The items most frequently regretted include electronics, clothing, footwear, and home appliances. These findings were drawn from a study conducted by SuperJob and summarized by socialbites.ca, highlighting a persistent pattern of uncertain or impulsive buying habits among consumers in Russia during that period.
The trend shows a gradual shift in consumer behavior, with only about one in three Russians (roughly 32 percent) managing to avoid buying unnecessary goods last year, a notable decline from a year earlier when half of respondents avoided such purchases. Among those who did buy, 12 percent expressed dissatisfaction specifically with devices and gadgets such as smartphones, fitness trackers, and smart speakers. Clothing and footwear purchases accounted for 8 percent of regret, while home appliances—ranging from cappuccino machines to robot vacuums, juicers, and humidifiers—led these concerns for 8 percent of respondents. Food purchases were identified as unnecessary by 6 percent, and perfumes and cosmetics by 4 percent. Regrets over cars, jewelry, and televisions stood at 1 percent. Additional items viewed as wasted expenditures by some Russians included securities, tableware, airline and theater tickets, sports equipment, children’s products, the concept of a summer house, and various furniture pieces.
The data also reveal demographic differences in regret patterns. Men appear more prone to dissatisfaction when buying gadgets, whereas women show a tendency to regret purchases in the categories of footwear and cosmetics. These nuances suggest that purchasing remorse is not uniform across gender groups and varies by product type, underscoring the importance of thoughtful planning and product consideration in future shopping cycles. The overall narrative points to a cautious attitude taking hold among consumers, with many evaluating value and utility before committing to large or discretionary expenditures.
There is a broader implication for the retail landscape, as consumer interest in promotional events like Black Friday seems to be cooling. This shift signals a potential reevaluation of sales-driven buying frenzies and a growing emphasis on practicality, perceived value, and long-term satisfaction rather than impulse-driven spending. Retailers and marketers may respond by offering clearer guidance on product usefulness, longer-term warranties, and more transparent pricing to align with evolving consumer priorities and reduce post-purchase regret.