Page 29 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 27 Final
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Community



               respond to their nonliving surroundings,         they inadvertently promote excessive

               malls by design model the dynamic interplay      consumerism, which can overwhelm
               between producers, retailers, competing          young minds. To achieve success, a mall’s
               malls, and street-side shops. The retail         positioning strategy fosters an environment

               environment within a mall is akin to an          promoting the growth and development of
               ecosystem, where predators and prey coexist.     all system components to sustain the life of
               So, what is it about shopping malls targeting    a shopping mall. Are children becoming an
               children? Who is the prey and who is the         easy target for the future of these shopping
               predator? With this in mind, they may not        malls and how is consumerism obtaining a

               provide the most conducive environments          hold on the young minds?
               for children’s development. This is because









































               Consumerism is a socio-economic concept          social and relational satisfaction? How is
               that proposes that individuals who engage in     consumerism influencing human behavior?
               substantial and frequent purchases of goods      Economists have proposed several models

               and services are likely to achieve greater       to explain consumer behavior, including
               satisfaction and well-being in life. Is this     the Neoclassical, Lancaster, and Becker’s
               true? The hypothesis is based on the premise     models. These models assume that

               that rampant consumer spending can spur          consumers are rational and knowledgeable
               economic growth by increasing demand for         about their preferences and the available
               goods and services, leading to an expansion      options in the market. If this is the case, can
               of production and employment but is there        we confidently conclude that children can be




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