The downside of scarcity: Scarcity appeals can trigger consumer anger and brand switching

Biraglia, Alessandro, Usrey, Bryan and Ulqinaku, Aulona (2021) The downside of scarcity: Scarcity appeals can trigger consumer anger and brand switching. Psychology and Marketing, 38 (8). pp. 1314-1322. ISSN 0742-6046

[thumbnail of The downside of scarcity: Scarcity appeals can trigger consumer anger and brand switching intentions]
Preview
PDF (The downside of scarcity: Scarcity appeals can trigger consumer anger and brand switching intentions) - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons Attribution.

Download (561kB) | Preview

Abstract

Brands often use scarcity appeals to promote sales. However, there is limited research investigating how consumers react when they are unable to obtain items that are advertised using scarcity appeals in terms of limited quantity. In two studies, experimental and correlational, we show that consumers who do not get the product associated to scarcity appeals (vs. not) have higher intentions to switch to competitor brands. This effect is mediated by consumer anger. We present theoretical contributions in research on scarcity appeals and consumer emotions (i.e., anger) and we discuss managerial implications of how scarcity appeals can sometimes backfire and lead to consumers switching to other competitor brands when they fail to obtain the product advertised as limited in quantity.

Item Type: Article
Uncontrolled Keywords: anger,scarcity appeals,switching behavior,applied psychology,marketing ,/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/3200/3202
Faculty \ School: Faculty of Social Sciences > Norwich Business School
UEA Research Groups: Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Centres > Centre for Behavioural and Experimental Social Sciences
Faculty of Social Sciences > Research Groups > Marketing
Related URLs:
Depositing User: LivePure Connector
Date Deposited: 09 Apr 2021 23:47
Last Modified: 21 Apr 2023 00:59
URI: https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/79643
DOI: 10.1002/mar.21489

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item