Consumerology- The Truth about Consumers and the Psychology of Shopping

"This book is a real eye-opener and I would recommend it for any manager at any stage in their career. Ranking 5/5." - Professional Manager Magazine

"...It's well written, accessible and entertaining, yet thought provoking. Consumer.ology is a rich digest of insights on consumer psychology. It should be essential reading for marketers and general managers, and carefully hidden away from anyone whose livelihood depends on market research." - Alan Giles, Fellow of The Marketing Society and Associate Fellow, Said Business School, University of Oxford

The problem with consumers is that they are incapable of understanding their purchasing behavior. Why? Because it is actually driven by the unconscious. Consumer.ology author Philip Graves is a lecturer on consumer behavior and a consultant for associated studies for companies including Whirlpool, Virgin Media, and Pepsi. He has come to the bold conclusion that market studies and focus groups are useless. He asserts that the most accurate information about consumer needs comes from analysis of data gathered in real situations, where people are not aware that they are being observed. Fortunately, the Internet offers a vast territory for observation, because people leave countless traces of their behavior and telling comments. Keeping quiet and listening to consumers is actually just as important as communicating with them, and people often speak more honestly when no questions have been asked. (Business Digest)

Philip Graves is a consumer behavior consultant, author and speaker. He has been described as "one of the world's leading consumer behavior experts" (Kevin Hogan); "one of the world's pre-eminent consumer behavior consultants" (Cambridge Business Magazine); and "one of ten original thinkers whose ideas will help shape Britain's recovery."(Director). 

Through his consultancy business, he has advised numerous international businesses, including Sky, ITV, HSBC, Lloyds Banking Group, BBC, Whirlpool, and Virgin Media. In addition, Philip has been invited to speak to audiences around the world about consumer behavior, including the UK Cabinet Office, theEuropean Union Consumer Affairs Unit, The Royal Agricultural Society, BBC Radio5 Live, BBC Radio Scotland, and America’s Morning News. He currently writes a column on consumer psychology for the Chartered Institute of Marketing's magazine, The Marketer.

Along side his own business, Shift Consultancy, Philip is an associate of FrontierEconomics. 

See his website at www.philipgraves.net