The best of us have at some point or the other, been seduced by an item of clothing on a mannequin, a high-tech device on the shelf of an electronic store or a pair of shoes staring right back at us from the shop window. Blame it on the
wonderful merchandising tactics or the sheer beauty of the product you’ve set your eyes on, the fact is each one of us has at some point indulged in a bit of “retail therapy”.
We are all aware of the side effects of such therapy — the biggest being a hole in your pocket. So what’s the next best alternative? Window-shopping! Nothing beats a trip to the mall, bookstore or an exhibition on a lazy Sunday afternoon. Add a fun brunch as a pit stop before you hit the stores again and you’ve got yourself a fun day!
Delhi-based model Anchal Oberoi, says that with many malls coming up in Delhi, the concept of window-shopping has become fun now. “Earlier it was quite a pain, going out in the heat and going around markets. But malls have changed that. Even I indulge in window-shopping a lot. It’s fun to just go and see things, especially when you don’t have anything specific in mind,” she says.
Working professional Arpita Bangera believes that it can do wonders for your pocket too. “Most people go out shopping when they ‘need’ clothes or other items — for a wedding, dinner, trip, birthday etc. As a result, they end up picking up anything they find during that time. Window-shopping gives you a feel of the trend and stock, so you can come back at a later date when you’ve had enough time to do some research.”
However, there are certain ground rules one must follow. Tanvi Kathuria, 25, a self-confessed shopaholic, believes, that leaving your credit card at home forms the primary rule. “The whole point of window-shopping is not giving in to temptation but appreciating the beauty of shopping from well, the window. If you have a credit card and are an impulsive shopper like me, you would have spent a bomb before you know it. Carrying cash keeps you well within your limits,” she says adding, “It may not be as comforting as retail therapy, but browsing through stuff leisurely costs a lot lesser and has its own therapeutic effects.”