This book provides an introduction to the historical and theoretical foundations of consumerism. It then moves on to examine the experience of consumption in the areas of space and place, technology, fashion, `popular' music and sport. Throughout, the author brings a critical perspective to bear upon the subject, thus providing a reliable and stimulating guide to a complex and many-sided field.

The modern era of business has prompted an increased focus on the consumer and the responsibility of corporations to consider their ethical and social obligations to their customers. The rise of the consumerist movement has encouraged further research and development on the topic of consumerism, enabling business to succeed in a consumer-driven market. Handbook of Research on Consumerism in Business and Marketing: Concepts and Practices features research on diverse topics on consumerism in the global marketplace, focusing on the ways in which businesses can improve their relationships with customers as well as analyze and influence purchasing behavior. As a comprehensive reference source on topics pertaining to consumer management, identity, and behavior, this publication is intended for use by marketing professionals, business managers, students, and academicians.

This book is the first comprehensive history of consumerism as an organised social and political movement. Matthew Hilton offers a groundbreaking account of consumer movements, ideologies and organisations in twentieth-century Britain. He argues that in organisations such as the Co-operative movement and the Consumers' Association individual concern with what and how we spend our wages led to forms of political engagement too often overlooked in existing accounts of twentieth-century history. He explores how the consumer and consumerism came to be regarded by many as a third force in society with the potential to free politics from the perceived stranglehold of the self-interested actions of employers and trade unions. Finally he recovers the visions of countless consumer activists who saw in consumption a genuine force for liberation for women, the working class and new social movements as well as a set of ideas often deliberately excluded from more established political organisations.

This book offers the first in-depth investigation into the relationship between today's criminal identities and consumer culture. Using unique data taken from criminals locked in areas of permanent recession, the book aims to uncover feelings and attitudes towards a variety of criminal activities, investigating the incorporation of hearts and minds into consumer culture's surrogate social world and highlighting the relationship between the lived identities of active criminals and the socio-economic climate of instability and anxiety that permeates post-industrial Britain. This book will be of interest to undergraduates, postgraduates, researchers and lecturers in all fields within the social sciences, but especially criminology, sociology, social policy, politics and anthropology.

Dance has proliferated in movies, television, Internet, and retail spaces while the spiritual power of dance has also been linked with mass consumption. Walter marries the cultural studies of dance and the religious aspects of dance in an exploration of consumption rituals, including rituals of being persuaded to buy products that include dance.

Seminar paper from the year 2019 in the subject Sociology - Consumption and Advertising, grade: 1,3, University of Paderborn (Kulturwissenschaft), language: English, abstract: This term paper is set out to investigate in what aspects consumerism forms an identity and to what degree it affects modern society. In order to gather information and data, this research project will look at different Instagram accounts and groups, like "richkids__official" or "women_luxurys_life". How do they advertise certain products and in what way do these people represent themselves within a particular picture. Simultaneously, this term paper will explain the consequences of consumerism on businesses, society in general and people’s mental health. Sources that will be needed to answer these questions, are going to be Yiannis Gabriel and Tim Lang’s "The Unmanageable Consumer. Contemporary Consumption and its Fragmentations" from 1995, in which the different functions of a consumer are thoroughly explained and analysed. In addition, J.D. Forbes’ "The Consumer Interest", published 1987, defines different sections in which consumerism influences society. Using these sources and explanations, this research project will try to answer the question of how consumerism forms an identity, and to what degree it thereby affects society. "I’m just a girl standing in front of a photo asking it to be Instagram worthy." The quote above is a re-written version of Notting Hill’s famous sentence "I’m just a girl, standing in front of a boy, asking him to love her". Comparing these situations, it can be interpreted as though the "re-written girl" just wants to have a photo worthy for Instagram in order to be loved. Therefore, this quote tells more about society than just a girl wanting to look pretty online. Nowadays, almost every person, who is able to go online, has at least heard or even registered on one or more social media platforms, like Facebook, Twitter or Instagram.

Colorful bracelets, funky brooches, and beautiful handmade beads: young crafters learn to make all these and much more with this fantastic step-by-step guide. In 12 exciting projects with simple steps and detailed instructions, budding fashionistas create their own stylish accessories to give as gifts or add a touch of personal flair to any ensemble. Following the successful "Art Smart" series, "Craft Smart" presents a fresh, fun approach to four creative skills: knitting, jewelry-making, papercrafting, and crafting with recycled objects. Each book contains 12 original projects to make, using a range of readily available materials. There are projects for boys and girls, carefully chosen to appeal to readers of all abilities. A special "techniques and materials" section encourages young crafters to try out their own ideas while learning valuable practical skills.

This book is a comprehensive exploration of the complexities and dilemmas of using the marketplace as an arena for politics. It goes beyond simply buying or boycotting to critically explore how individuals, collectives, corporations and governments do politics with and through consumption.

Written by leading international scholars, Twentieth Century Britain investigates key moments, themes and identities in the past century. Engaging with cutting-edge research and debate, the essays in the volume combine discussion of the major issues currently preoccupying historians of the twentieth century with clear guidance on new directions in the theories and methodologies of modern British social, cultural and economic history. Divided into three, the first section of the book addresses key concepts historians use to think about the century, notably, class, gender and national identity. Organised chronologically, the book then explores topical thematic issues, such as multicultural Britain, religion and citizenship. Representing changes in the field, some chapters represent more recent fields of historical inquiry, such as modernity and sexuality.