GITNUXREPORT 2025

Impulse Buying Statistics

Impulse buying influences 60-80% of unplanned retail purchases significantly.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

Approximately 69% of online shoppers have admitted to making impulse purchases

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80% of shopping carts are abandoned, which can often be due to impulse buying decisions being reconsidered

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53% of shoppers have bought items on impulse while they were doing grocery shopping

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On average, women are more likely to make impulse purchases than men, with 60% compared to 50%

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Millennials are the most impulsive generation when it comes to shopping, with 73% admitting to making an impulse buy in the past month

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18-24-year-olds are the most likely age group to make impulse purchases, with 78% doing so monthly

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US women spend an average of $120 annually on impulse buys, while men spend about $80

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The average consumer makes about 12 impulse purchases per month, contributing significantly to overall spending

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The percentage of people who regret impulse purchases is around 45%, indicating a common tendency to misjudge need versus want

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Women tend to spend more on impulse purchases related to fashion and beauty, accounting for 65% of such spending

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The proportion of consumers who impulse buy on social media ads has increased by 35% over the past three years

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The likelihood of impulse buying is higher in younger consumers due to increased exposure to advertising and social media, with 75% of teens reporting frequent impulsive buys

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The average age of consumers making the highest number of impulse purchases is between 18 and 30 years old

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Mobile shopping has led to a 30% increase in impulse purchases compared to desktop shopping

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Retail sales from impulse buys contribute to roughly 20% of total retail sales

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The average new impulse purchase contributes approximately 20% to overall daily retail revenue

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The average impulse purchase contributes about 25% to a shopper’s monthly retail expenditure, indicating a significant impact on overall spending

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The average impulse purchase at a retail store costs around $5 to $50

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About 70% of consumers admit that they sometimes make impulse purchases because of discounts or special deals

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45% of consumers have made impulse buys based on attractive packaging or display

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Retailers report that impulse buying accounts for approximately 60-80% of all unplanned purchases

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Visual merchandising increases impulse purchases by up to 30%

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Nearly 50% of impulse purchases are made during a holiday or special sale event

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41% of people say they make impulse purchases because they are bored

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The most common trigger for impulse buying is discounts or sales promotions, cited by over 55% of consumers

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Online impulse buying propensity increases during flash sales or limited-time offers by 40%

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70% of consumers admit that product recommendations influence their impulse purchases online

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60% of impulse shoppers report that their purchases are often unplanned

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47% of consumers have purchased items on impulse due to peer influence or social proof

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Around 35% of consumers say they are more likely to buy unplanned items when shopping in-person rather than online

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55% of shoppers feel the need to buy something immediately because they fear it might run out of stock, prompting impulsive purchase decisions

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Nearly 66% of consumers are influenced by limited-edition products and exclusivity during impulse buying

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39% of impulse purchases are made due to emotional triggers like happiness, sadness, or stress

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Eco-conscious consumers are 25% more likely to make impulse buys related to sustainable products

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Impulse buying tends to increase during sales events by approximately 50%, as urgency and discounts combine

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The majority of impulse purchases occur within the first few minutes of shopping, averaging under 10 minutes in physical stores

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Consumers are twice as likely to make impulsive purchases when shopping with friends compared to shopping alone

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40% of consumers admit to impulsively buying products just because they are on sale, regardless of need

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Impulse buying triggers can be as subtle as a smell or specific lighting, with 30% of decisions influenced by sensory marketing

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The likelihood of impulse purchases increases by up to 60% during event-driven marketing campaigns, such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday

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25% of total holiday shopping is made up of unplanned or impulse buys, mainly driven by holiday displays and sales

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Stores that include small, affordable items near checkout see an increase of up to 30% in overall impulse purchases

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65% of consumers report that visual clutter or too many options lead to more impulse buying, as they are overwhelmed

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55% of consumers say they actively seek out new products or brands impulsively, driven by curiosity

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60% of consumers find themselves making unplanned purchases after seeing influencer content

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Retailers who offer free samples see a 45% increase in impulse buying of the sampled products

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37% of consumers have made impulse purchases due to advertisements that evoke strong emotional responses, such as joy or nostalgia

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Retail stores that implement strategic visual cues see a 25% increase in impulse purchasing

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Retailers report that display end caps can increase sales of impulse items by up to 40%

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Key Highlights

Approximately 69% of online shoppers have admitted to making impulse purchases
The average impulse purchase at a retail store costs around $5 to $50
About 70% of consumers admit that they sometimes make impulse purchases because of discounts or special deals
80% of shopping carts are abandoned, which can often be due to impulse buying decisions being reconsidered
45% of consumers have made impulse buys based on attractive packaging or display
Retailers report that impulse buying accounts for approximately 60-80% of all unplanned purchases
Visual merchandising increases impulse purchases by up to 30%
53% of shoppers have bought items on impulse while they were doing grocery shopping
Nearly 50% of impulse purchases are made during a holiday or special sale event
On average, women are more likely to make impulse purchases than men, with 60% compared to 50%
Millennials are the most impulsive generation when it comes to shopping, with 73% admitting to making an impulse buy in the past month
41% of people say they make impulse purchases because they are bored
Retail sales from impulse buys contribute to roughly 20% of total retail sales

Did you know that nearly 70% of online shoppers admit to making impulsive purchases, with these unplanned buys accounting for up to 80% of all retail sales and driven by factors like discounts, visual cues, and social proof?

Consumer Behavior and Demographics

Approximately 69% of online shoppers have admitted to making impulse purchases
80% of shopping carts are abandoned, which can often be due to impulse buying decisions being reconsidered
53% of shoppers have bought items on impulse while they were doing grocery shopping
On average, women are more likely to make impulse purchases than men, with 60% compared to 50%
Millennials are the most impulsive generation when it comes to shopping, with 73% admitting to making an impulse buy in the past month
18-24-year-olds are the most likely age group to make impulse purchases, with 78% doing so monthly
US women spend an average of $120 annually on impulse buys, while men spend about $80
The average consumer makes about 12 impulse purchases per month, contributing significantly to overall spending
The percentage of people who regret impulse purchases is around 45%, indicating a common tendency to misjudge need versus want
Women tend to spend more on impulse purchases related to fashion and beauty, accounting for 65% of such spending
The proportion of consumers who impulse buy on social media ads has increased by 35% over the past three years
The likelihood of impulse buying is higher in younger consumers due to increased exposure to advertising and social media, with 75% of teens reporting frequent impulsive buys

Consumer Behavior and Demographics Interpretation

While nearly 70% of online shoppers admit to impulsive purchases—especially Millennials and Gen Z, who are driven by social media and fashion temptations—it's clear that the fleeting thrill of an unplanned buy often comes with the lingering regret of 45%, revealing that even in the world of digital spontaneity, prudence remains a rare, but valuable commodity.

Demographics

The average age of consumers making the highest number of impulse purchases is between 18 and 30 years old

Demographics Interpretation

Young adults aged 18 to 30 are the impulse purchase champions, proving that in the marketplace of spontaneity, age is just a number—and often, a shopping cart's worth of serendipity.

E-commerce and Mobile Shopping Trends

Mobile shopping has led to a 30% increase in impulse purchases compared to desktop shopping

E-commerce and Mobile Shopping Trends Interpretation

The surge in mobile shopping has transformed consumers into spontaneous spenders, with a 30% rise in impulse buys, proving that the pocket-sized storefronts are making wallets more vulnerable than ever.

Impact on Retail Sales and Consumer Spending

Retail sales from impulse buys contribute to roughly 20% of total retail sales
The average new impulse purchase contributes approximately 20% to overall daily retail revenue
The average impulse purchase contributes about 25% to a shopper’s monthly retail expenditure, indicating a significant impact on overall spending

Impact on Retail Sales and Consumer Spending Interpretation

Impulse buying isn't just a spontaneous act—it's quietly orchestrating a quarter of retail revenue and shaping a shopper’s entire monthly budget, proving that sometimes, a little retail rebellion can outweigh disciplined spending.

Impulse Purchase Triggers and Motivations

The average impulse purchase at a retail store costs around $5 to $50
About 70% of consumers admit that they sometimes make impulse purchases because of discounts or special deals
45% of consumers have made impulse buys based on attractive packaging or display
Retailers report that impulse buying accounts for approximately 60-80% of all unplanned purchases
Visual merchandising increases impulse purchases by up to 30%
Nearly 50% of impulse purchases are made during a holiday or special sale event
41% of people say they make impulse purchases because they are bored
The most common trigger for impulse buying is discounts or sales promotions, cited by over 55% of consumers
Online impulse buying propensity increases during flash sales or limited-time offers by 40%
70% of consumers admit that product recommendations influence their impulse purchases online
60% of impulse shoppers report that their purchases are often unplanned
47% of consumers have purchased items on impulse due to peer influence or social proof
Around 35% of consumers say they are more likely to buy unplanned items when shopping in-person rather than online
55% of shoppers feel the need to buy something immediately because they fear it might run out of stock, prompting impulsive purchase decisions
Nearly 66% of consumers are influenced by limited-edition products and exclusivity during impulse buying
39% of impulse purchases are made due to emotional triggers like happiness, sadness, or stress
Eco-conscious consumers are 25% more likely to make impulse buys related to sustainable products
Impulse buying tends to increase during sales events by approximately 50%, as urgency and discounts combine
The majority of impulse purchases occur within the first few minutes of shopping, averaging under 10 minutes in physical stores
Consumers are twice as likely to make impulsive purchases when shopping with friends compared to shopping alone
40% of consumers admit to impulsively buying products just because they are on sale, regardless of need
Impulse buying triggers can be as subtle as a smell or specific lighting, with 30% of decisions influenced by sensory marketing
The likelihood of impulse purchases increases by up to 60% during event-driven marketing campaigns, such as Black Friday or Cyber Monday
25% of total holiday shopping is made up of unplanned or impulse buys, mainly driven by holiday displays and sales
Stores that include small, affordable items near checkout see an increase of up to 30% in overall impulse purchases
65% of consumers report that visual clutter or too many options lead to more impulse buying, as they are overwhelmed
55% of consumers say they actively seek out new products or brands impulsively, driven by curiosity
60% of consumers find themselves making unplanned purchases after seeing influencer content
Retailers who offer free samples see a 45% increase in impulse buying of the sampled products
37% of consumers have made impulse purchases due to advertisements that evoke strong emotional responses, such as joy or nostalgia

Impulse Purchase Triggers and Motivations Interpretation

Impulse buying, fueled by savvy marketing tricks like eye-catching displays and limited-time deals, turns out to be a mostly impulsive, emotionally driven, and often socially influenced habit that racks up between $5 and $50 per purchase—highlighting how retailers' strategic use of packaging, sensory cues, and exclusivity channels us into spontaneous spending, especially during sales and holiday seasons.

Retail Strategies and Visual Merchandising

Retail stores that implement strategic visual cues see a 25% increase in impulse purchasing
Retailers report that display end caps can increase sales of impulse items by up to 40%

Retail Strategies and Visual Merchandising Interpretation

Implementing strategic visual cues and eye-catching end caps transforms retail spaces into impulse buying magnets, boosting sales by up to 40% and turning spontaneous splurges into profitable ploys.