
The Science of Shopping
How Psychology and Innovation Create a Compelling Retail Strategy
Kate Hardcastle(Author)
Kogan Page Ltd (Publisher)
1st Edition
Published on 3. June 2025
Book
Hardback
264 pages
978-1-3986-2047-6 (ISBN)
Description
In the ever-evolving landscape of retail, understanding the science behind modern shopping habits - both online and offline - has become crucial for success.
In this book, global consumer expert and multi-award-winning business consultant Kate Hardcastle delivers a blueprint for the future of retail, exploring the psychological, technological and strategic elements that shape today's retail environment and providing unparalleled insights from some of the world's leading brands such as Erewhon, Selfridges, Aldi and Primark.
Exploring every aspect of the consumer decision-making journey,
The Science of Shopping
includes content on how emotions, perceptions and social factors can drive consumer behaviour as well how to use AI to personalize the shopping experience and the different tricks and tips retailers can use to engage and entice customers. Learn how to find the perfect price point, how to create cohesive shopping environments across all platforms and how you can create immersive experiences that resonate with customers with this practical and insightful guide.
Reviews / Votes
"Kate Hardcastle's Buyerarchy of Needs explores the complex motivations behind purchasing behaviours. She also provides astute psychological insight into creative sales strategies that successfully demystify the consumer mindset." * Publisher's Weekly * "Kate Hardcastle advises some of the world's biggest brands, retailers and most importantly shoppers.In this book, Kate's first, she explores the ever-changing retail landscape, the evolution of retail over the years and the impact of technology on consumer behaviour.
She concludes that in a fast-moving environment, charged by Digitisation and Artificial Intelligence that the ultimate "Differentiator" for retail success, is, as it always has been, the "Human Touch".
" * Mike Stagg, Business advisor and former executive at Unilever, Coca-Cola and Disney * "Nobody understands retail like Kate. This book blends deep consumer psychology with shopping Street Smarts. Add to Basket immediately...whether you're a buyer or a seller." * Phil Williams, Broadcaster BBC * "Kate's knowledge of the retail world is second to none. Having worked with some of the biggest worldwide brands, her meticulous research, communication and passion is admirable. We can all learn so much from Kate, whether it's about the consumer lead world or simply how to shop smarter." * Hannah Cockroft OBE, DL 7 x Paralympian champion & broadcaster * "Kate Hardcastle MBE is one of the leading voices in retail and consumer engagement of our time. This book is the result of more than 20 years working in the factories, on the shop floor and in the boardrooms of many of the best-known businesses and brands today. Kate walks the walk and talks the talk and this is a must-read book for anyone wanting to truly understand their customers, improve their business, drive sales and growth." * Natasha Hatherall Shawe - Founder & CEO TishTash UAE, Brand Publicist & Writer * "The Science of Shopping is a powerful insight into how we buy, why we're drawn in, and what really drives our choices! Kate Hardcastle blends deep consumer psychology with everyday relevance - it's compelling, clever and a must-read for anyone who shops... or sells. I particularly love the key takeaways at the end of each chapter which illustrate the personal USP Kate has for simplifying to amplify!" * Katy Hill, High Performance Coach & Broadcaster * "It's rare that you work with someone who is a strategist but who also pays attention to detail, whilst at the same time thinking big and also being very creative.
Kate has a passion for always doing the absolute best for the company, and her need to have meaningful insight into what were the key trends in the marketplace, made it very obvious to me what she would do next.
Since then I have been proud to watch her career progress in the public domain, where she always has valid opinions to share and is still prepared to challenge the norm, and as such I think this book can become compulsory reading for both marketers and consumers in general.
" * Neal Mernock, Strategist, Mentor and NED, Inmarco Ltd * "A powerful reminder that shopping isn't just about stuff-it's about how we live, how we feel, and what we value. Kate Hardcastle brings humanity and clarity to a world that often overwhelms. A must-read for anyone who wants to shop-and live-with greater intention." * Amanda Byram, Broadcaster, Author and Wellbeing Expert * "Kate's book is an expert deep dive into the art of storytelling at retail, emphasizing the importance of human connections in retail strategies by putting Shoppers first to secure success. If you are looking to understand how Shoppers think, feel, act & convert at retail, The Science of Shopping is a must read" * Katharina Sutch, Director, Shopper Insights, Markets and Channels Business Partnering LEGO *
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 18 mm
Weight
567 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-3986-2047-6 (9781398620476)
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Kate Hardcastle
The Science of Shopping
How Psychology and Innovation Create a Compelling Retail Strategy
Book
06/2025
1st Edition
Kogan Page Ltd
€37.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Author
Kate Hardcastle is a multi-award-winning international consumer expert, broadcaster and commentator based in London, UK. With over 20 years' experience in consumer behaviour and retail, she works with some of the world's biggest brands and in 2018 was awarded an MBE for services to business and entrepreneurship. She appears regularly on the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, and Sky News, as well as in Forbes and the Financial Times, and presents at events including the Financial Times Retail Summit, Retail World Congress, The Retail Summit UAE, Shop Talk Las Vegas, The Tech Show and Ideal Home Show.
Content
-
- Chapter - 01: The Evolution of Retail: From High-Street Store to Online Marketplace
- Chapter - 02: The Psychology of Shopping
- Chapter - 03: The Digital Frontier: Mastering Online Retail, How to Captivate and Convert
- Chapter - 04: Blending the Physical with the Digital: The Rise of Omnichannel Retail
- Chapter - 05: Retail Theatre: Creating Immersive Shopping Experiences
- Chapter - 06: The Power of Brand Ambassadors: The Art of Shaping Perception
- Chapter - 07: Strategic Pricing: Find the Price Point That's Just Right
- Chapter - 08: Offers, Coupons and Promotions: Tactics to Boost Sales
- Chapter - 09: Leveraging Data for Personalised Retail: Enhance Customer Satisfaction
- Chapter - 10: Bringing it all Together