P129 Understanding Impulse Buying through an Islamic Lens

The Roles of Time Pressure, Scarcity, and Economic Incentives

Abstract

The proliferation of digital commerce has transformed consumer decision-making, making impulse buying an increasingly prominent phenomenon within contemporary consumption practices. Digital marketplaces employ persuasive mechanisms such as time-limited promotions, scarcity cues, and economic incentives to accelerate purchasing decisions and reduce the extent of deliberate evaluation. Although these mechanisms have been extensively examined within consumer behaviour research, their implications from an Islamic consumer ethics perspective remain comparatively underexplored. This paper examines the roles of time pressure, perceived scarcity, and economic incentives in shaping impulse buying behaviour through an Islamic lens. Drawing upon existing literature on impulse buying and Islamic consumer behaviour, the study critically examines how urgency, perceived product limitation, and financial inducements may stimulate spontaneous consumption while potentially challenging principles governing responsible consumption in Islam. In particular, the discussion situates impulse buying within Islamic ethical considerations concerning moderation, self-restraint, avoidance of extravagance (israf), and conscious consumption. Rather than viewing impulse buying solely as an individual psychological response or a consequence of contemporary marketing practices, this paper conceptualises it as a consumer behaviour that warrants consideration of both market-driven influences and ethical dimensions of consumption. By integrating established perspectives on impulse buying with principles of Islamic consumer ethics, the paper contributes to a more nuanced understanding of impulsive consumption in digital marketplaces. The study further highlights the relevance of Islamic ethical principles in encouraging more reflective, responsible, and balanced consumption practices within an increasingly persuasive digital retail environment.