Psychology

Dual process theory is the psychological foundation of SHOPPER360. The platform relies on observation rather than language to reveal the true motivations behind purchase decisions.

The two primary neurological processes identified in dual process theory are known as System 1 and System 2.

System 1 is automatic, unconscious, intuitive and always engaged.
System 2 is slower, considered and must be consciously activated.

Language-based research skews towards System 2 answers, because language directs subjects towards thoughtful responses. But most shoppers are in System 1 autopilot — they don’t consider options and evaluate variables. Instead, they rely on embedded habits and heuristics (mental shortcuts) to get through their shopping quickly and with minimum mental effort.

SHOPPER360 is an ideal research solution for categories that attract habitual purchasing, ‘restocking’ behaviour or low-involvement shopping.

Most household shopping is done without conscious engagement. The average shopper only has a repertoire of around 500 SKUs at home. Many supermarkets stock 20,000 to 50,000 SKUs.
It’s an overwhelming choice and shoppers cannot make considered decisions about every purchase. While the unconscious brain is capable of processing 10 million pieces of information a second, the conscious brain processes up to 40 per second — and that’s using all the senses, not just sight.

So, for around 85 per cent of their shopping, shoppers switch to autopilot mode, which is led by System 1 decision-making. An unconscious filter deselects everything outside their established purchasing pattern, directing them to products they buy regularly.

They only switch to System 2 thinking when selecting something that requires more thought, such as special ingredients for a new recipe or products in an unfamiliar category.

SHOPPER360 identifies the mix of System 1 and 2 in any decision point and uses that knowledge to test strategies that will optimise your brand for that decision profile.

With SHOPPER360, we understand when shoppers are in System 1 or System 2 mode, and use that knowledge to test appropriate strategies for making your brands more attractive to them.

We are able to customise the test environment to suit any commerical, marketing or retail challenge, whether you want to lift sales for a core brand, test the packaging for a new product or respond to a pricing war.
These behaviour-based insights will help you to formulate value-building shopper strategies that deliver against your brand objectives.