Fads and crazes

kick off

To begin or start something

compulsively spend money

To spend money in an uncontrollable or irresistible way. Marketing tactics make people c_____ s_____ m_____ on the latest must-haves.

queue up

To wait in a line to get something. Why would an adult q_____ u_____ outside a shop for an ugly plushie?

plushie

A soft stuffed toy made of fabric.

cup adorned with accessories

A drinking cup decorated with extra items like charms or straps. She carried an oversized c_____ a_____ w_____ a_____ everywhere she went.

spread like wildfire

To become widely known or popular very quickly. Once a celebrity was seen with the item; the craze s_____ l_____ w_____.

rapid and all-consuming

A trend that develops quickly and takes up all attention. The fad was r_____ a_____ a_____-c_____

newness

The quality of being recent or unfamiliar. People are attracted to the n_____ of a product.

novelty

The quality of being new original or unusual. The n_____ of the item fades once everyone owns one.

exclusivity

The state of being limited to only a few people. Brands create a sense of e_____ to make products more desirable.

celebrity endorsement

Promotion of a product by a famous person. The fad exploded after a c_____ e_____ on Instagram.

Social media algorithms reward popular posts with increased visibility

Computer programs on platforms show popular content to more users. S_____ m_____ a_____ r_____ p_____ p_____ w_____ i_____ v_____; making the trend grow.

and so it rolls forward

And thus the cycle continues or progresses. A post gets likes

scarcity

Limited availability of a product. Companies use s_____ to create urgency.

innate desire to belong

A natural human need to be part of a group. The i_____ d_____ t_____ b_____ drives people to buy what everyone else has.

to feel left out or excluded

To experience the unpleasant emotion of being not included. Nobody wants t_____ f_____ l_____ o_____ o_____ e_____ when their friends have the latest item.

FOMO (fear of missing out) kicks in

The anxiety that others are having rewarding experiences without you. When the product sold out; F_____ k_____ i_____ and people panicked.

a rush of dopamine

A sudden feeling of pleasure caused by a brain chemical. Buying the limited item gave her a_____ r_____ o_____ d_____.

gets drawn into

Becomes attracted or involved in something unwillingly. Even skeptical consumers g_____ d_____ i_____ the hype.

susceptible

Easily influenced or harmed by something. Teenagers are particularly s_____ to peer pressure in fashion.

ride out a fad or craze

To wait patiently for a short-lived trend to end. Smart shoppers r_____ o_____ a_____ f_____ instead of buying at the peak.

attribute value to these things

To assign importance or worth to such items. Why do people a_____ v_____ t_____ t_____ t_____?

transition into a problem

Become a difficulty or harmful situation. Occasional spending can t_____ i_____ a_____ p_____ when it becomes compulsive.

to exercise control

To use self-restraint or regulation. Learning t_____ e_____ c_____ over spending is an important skill.

to build awareness

To develop understanding or knowledge of something. Therapy helps people t_____ b_____ a_____ of their triggers.

to jump headfirst into the latest craze

To enthusiastically join a new trend without thinking. He tends t_____ j_____ h_____ i_____ t_____ l_____ c_____ without considering the cost.

considered choice

A decision made after careful thought. She made a c_____ c_____ to buy only items she truly needed.

incentivised

Motivated or encouraged by rewards or benefits. Customers are i_____ to buy more through loyalty points.

Scarcity ploys

Marketing tricks that create false limited availability to increase demand. "Only 10 left!" is a common s_____ p_____ used by online stores.