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Abstract
This study aims to analyze the effect of product visualization and emotional triggers on
impulse purchase decisions in e-commerce and to examine the role of previous experience as
a moderating variable among Generation Z consumers. This research uses a quantitative
survey method. A closed questionnaire with a semantic differential scale was given to 205
respondents consisting of active users of e-commerce platforms aged at least 18 years old and
who have made impulse buying in the last three months. Data were collected through
questionnaires and analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) with AMOS version
24. The results showed that product visualization and emotional triggers influence impulse
purchase decisions. In addition, previous experience acts as a moderating variable that
strengthens the relationship between product visualization and impulse buying. This study
provides new insights into e-commerce consumer behavior in the digital era, especially
among Generation Z. The implication is that marketers can design more effective visual and
emotional strategies to encourage impulse buying and ensure a positive consumer experience
to increase loyalty.
INTRODUCTION
Impulse buying behavior has become an essential issue in marketing, especially
with the development of e-commerce in the digital era. Impulse buying is a form of
unplanned consumption behavior triggered by a strong internal drive and
characterized by buying products suddenly without planning, often related to intense
desire but not always based on urgent needs (Suher & Hoyer, 2020). Marketing
strategies such as limited-time discount offers, bundling packages, and exclusive
promotions are often designed to create emotional triggers that encourage consumers
to shop impulsively (Zafar et al., 2020). Today's competitive digital environment
means that e-commerce companies increasingly rely on these strategies to trigger
impulse purchase decisions faster.
LITERATURE REVIEW
1. Impulse Buying Behavior on E-commerce in Generation Z
Online purchasing has become a fast-growing trend, along with increasing
internet access and the development of digital technology. E-commerce allows
consumers to purchase products and services easily through electronic devices
without having to meet face-to-face with the seller, thus speeding up the
transaction process (Kacen & Lee, 2002). The increase in online purchases is in line
with the growing number of e-commerce platforms offering various products at
competitive prices and easy access (Verhagen & van Dolen, 2011). Generation Z is
the primary consumer in this digital era, where they grow up in an environment
filled with technology, so they tend to be more accustomed to using digital
platforms for shopping (Caraka et al., 2022). Gen Z's lifestyle that previous
experience ties instant gratification and experience and is reinforced by the ease of
online shopping will increase their tendency to impulse buying due to constant
exposure to promotional content (Nguyen et al., 2024). E-commerce companies also
optimize their marketing strategies by utilizing various attractive promotions such
as discounts, limited-time offers, and product bundling to encourage consumers to
make purchases faster (Dawson & Kim, 2010). During a dynamic digital
environment, impulse buying has become increasingly prominent. Impulsive
buying in e-commerce occurs when consumers spontaneously purchase products
without previous experience planning, often triggered by solid emotional impulses
due to various attractive offers visually displayed on the platform (Floh &
Madlberger, 2013). Generation Z, with easy access to social media and various e-
commerce platforms, is increasingly exposed to visual stimuli and attractive
promotions, encouraging them to make impulse buying at a higher rate than
previous generations (Muhammad et al., 2024). Impulse buying is amplified on
digital platforms because consumers are exposed to visual stimuli, promotions,
and emotional triggers that encourage them to buy without thinking (Verhagen &
van Dolen, 2011).
2. Visualization
According to Zhao et al. (2009), visualization through images and video
elements allows consumers to imagine the use of the product without the need to
interact directly with it. This accelerates the decision-making process, often leading
to impulsive behavior, especially when combined with digital promotional
elements (Lin & Lin, 2013). Hubert et al. (2013) added that visualizations that
display the benefits and aesthetics of products reinforce consumers' mental
representations, increasing the tendency to buy impulsively. In line with this, it
was found that immersive visual elements can increase product appeal, which also
encourages impulse buying behavior (Nguyen et al., 2024). Furthermore, effective
visualization in product design facilitates better communication of ideas and
increases consumer engagement, leading to informed purchase decisions (Ivanov
et al., 2024).
Hussain et al. (2024) They assert that individuals who use visualization
techniques to imagine a satisfying purchase outcome may strengthen their
impulsive tendencies due to increased positive expectations resulting from the
visualization. Keng et al. (2011) also found that visualization techniques,
particularly coupled with mindfulness, can increase awareness of emotions, which
may not necessarily help control impulsivity but may reinforce it in the context of
impulse buying as a way of relieving stress. Visualizations that affect emotional
triggers influence consumer arousal, positively impacting impulse buying (Liu et
al., 2019). This is reinforced by research by Kovač et al. (2019), which showed that
practical visual elements create an emotional connection between consumers and
products, contributing to impulse purchase decisions.
The resulting hypothesis is:
H1: Visualizations that activate consumers' imagination have a positive effect on
emotional triggers.
H2: Attractive visualization and a positive effect on impulse buying.
3. Emotional Trigger
Weinberg & Gottwald (1982) stated that emotional triggers can increase
impulse buying tendencies because individuals are encouraged to seek experiences
that provide momentary satisfaction, especially unplanned purchases. Mishra et al.
(2023) also found that emotional triggers can affect risk perception and encourage
individuals to make impulse buying as an escape from uncomfortable
psychological conditions. Ertz et al. (2022) added that emotional triggers can
strengthen consumers' desire to make purchases that provide happiness. Other
research by Rani et al. (2023) also supports that emotional triggers can trigger
impulse buying because consumers see shopping activities as a mechanism to deal
with this pressure. In addition, Iyer et al. (2020) They state that emotional triggers
often lead to irrational purchasing decisions, especially those triggered by the
desire to obtain hedonic satisfaction through consumption.
The resulting hypothesis is:
H3: Emotional triggers experienced by consumers have a positive effect on
impulse buying.
4. Previous Experience
According to Khachatryan et al. (2018), previous experience can increase or
decrease impulsive urges; strong visualization can strengthen the desire to buy,
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The Impact of Product Visualization and Emotional Triggers on Impulse Buying.....
Research Model
After collecting the literature review and formulating the hypothesis above, the
author will describe the research methodology using the following diagram:
Previous
Experience
Emotional
Trigger
METHODOLOGY
This research uses a verification research design. According to Uma Sekaran &
Bougie (2019), verification research aims to establish cause-and-effect relationships
between variables and test predetermined hypotheses. The data used is cross-section
data, namely primary data. Based on the definition of Hair et al. (2019), primary data
is data collected directly to be analyzed to find solutions to the problems under study.
In this study, primary data is in the form of responses from respondents regarding the
effect of product visualization on emotional triggers and their impact on impulse
buying behavior, which is moderated by previous shopping experiences on e-
commerce platforms.
univariately and multivariately. The univariate and multivariate outlier tests aim to
avoid biased research results (Hair et al., 2019). To detect multivariate outliers, it is
necessary to compare the chi-square table value with the highest output value of the
Mahalanobis distance. The chi-square table value is 40.790, while the highest value of
Mahalanobis distance is 38.702. This result shows that the research data successfully
passed the normality test.
Table 2. Measurement, Loadings, CR, and AVE
Questionnaire Loading
No. Variables Dimensions CR AVE
Statement Factor
1. I see product details Visualizati Visual Clarity 0,729 0,802 0,452
clearly from pictures on
or videos that
influence
purchasing
decisions.
2. The visual beauty of Aesthetics 0,79
a product image or
video is very
appealing to me.
3. Animations and Animation 0,625
visual effects in and Visual
images or videos Effects
grab my attention
while shopping.
4. The visually Visual 0,607
presented special Presentation
offers were striking of Special
and influenced my Offers
buying interest.
5. Visualizing user Use of 0,588
reviews or Testimonial
testimonials or Visual
increases my Reviews
confidence in
purchasing the
product.
6. I often feel a strong Emotional Arousal 0,767 0,784 0,477
emotional urge to trigger
impulse buy
products when I see
visuals.
7. My mood while Mood States 0,634
shopping affects my
buying decisions.
8. My feelings of Emotional 0,649
affection towards Attachment
the product to the Product
influence my
unplanned purchase
decision.
9. Friends or Social 0,707
influencers on social Environment
media influence my Influence
impulse buying.
10. Previous experience Previous Sensory 0,728 0,777 0,466
with the product Experience Experience
influences my
decision when
viewing visuals.
11. My direct Practical 0,623
experience of using Experience
the product
influences my
purchase decision.
12. Previous Cognitive 0,664
experiences of Experience
thinking about and
evaluating products
influence decisions
when shopping.
13. My emotional and Relationship 0,713
social connection Experience
with the brand
influences my e-
commerce purchase
decision.
14. I often buy products Impulse Spontaneous 0,696 0,753 0,434
out of the blue buying Purchase
without planning
when I see exciting
visuals.
15. I often ignore further Mindless 0,727
considerations when Purchasing
purchasing
products.
16. I often feel Rash 0,606
pressured to buy a Purchases
product
immediately after
seeing an offer
deadline.
17. My emotional state Purchases 0,599
drives impulse Influenced by
Emotional
buying on e- State
commerce.
Source: Processed by the author, 2024
After testing the SEM assumptions, the next step is to conduct validity and
reliability tests. Validity relates to how well the measures used define concepts, while
reliability relates to the consistency of these measures. Based on Table 2, all loading
factor values of the research indicators show values > 0.4. This indicates that all
variable indicators represent the research construct. Each Average Variance Extracted
(AVE) value of the variable must be> 0.4, and the Composite Reliability (CR) value of
each indicator must be> 0.70 to fulfill the reliability test. All AVE values on the
variables of this study are above 0.4 (see Table 2), and the composite reliability
coefficient values of each indicator of this study are also above 0.70. Thus, it can be
concluded that all constructs in this study have good validity and reliability. The
feasibility test of the research model was carried out by evaluating the goodness of fit
value listed in Table 3. Based on the results of this analysis, the RMSEA value meets
the established criteria, so it can be concluded that this research model is suitable for
further study.
Table 3. Goodness of Fit (GoF) SEM-AMOS Model
Goodness of index Cut-off value Model Results Description
Chi-Square Expectedly Small 218,978 Fit
RMSEA ≤0,08 0.059 Fit
GFI ≥0,90 0.899 Marginal Fit
AGFI ≥0,90 0.864 Marginal Fit
CMIN/DF ≤2,0 1.237 Fit
TLI ≥0,95 0.951 Fit
CFI ≥0,95 0.959 Fit
Source: Processed by the author, 2024
Hypothesis Testing
Hypothesis testing is carried out to evaluate the relationship between latent
variables in the model under study. (Hair et al., 2019). In structural equation modeling,
hypothesis testing is carried out by path analysis using AMOS 24 software assistance.
Hypothesis testing indicators through path analysis are carried out by paying
attention to the output results of the critical ratio or t-value and p-value. If the p-value
is below 0.05, then the hypothesis is accepted. In addition, the influence of variables
can be seen in the positive or negative value of the critical ratio (t value) (Hair et al.,
2019).
Table 4. Hypothesis Testing
Dimensions Estimate SE. CR. P Description
ET. <--- V 0,220 0,107 2,047 0,041 Accepted
IB. <--- V 0,540 0,111 4,871 0,000 Accepted
IB <--- ET 0,187 0,076 2,459 0,014 Accepted
IB <--- PE 0,190 0,079 2,415 0,016 Accepted
IB. <--- Interaction 0,003 0,001 5,324 0,000 Accepted
Source: Processed by the author, 2024
Based on this table, the following is an explanation of the results of
the hypothesis
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The Impact of Product Visualization and Emotional Triggers on Impulse Buying.....
testing;
1. Hypothesis 1 (H1): Visualization (V) has a positive effect on an emotional
trigger (ET), with an estimate of 0.220, a CR value of 2.047, and a p-value of
0.041 (p < 0.05). These results indicate that attractive product visualization
significantly increases consumers' emotional triggers, supporting hypothesis
H1.
2. Hypothesis 2 (H2): Visualization (V) has a positive effect on impulsive buying
(IB), with an estimate of 0.540, a CR value of 4.871, and a p-value < 0.001 (***).
These results indicate that good product visualization significantly increases
consumers' tendency to make impulse buying.
3. Hypothesis 3 (H3): Emotional trigger (ET) has a positive effect on impulsive
buying (IB), with an estimate of 0.187, a CR value of 2.459, and a p-value of 0.014
(p < 0.05). These results indicate that the higher the emotional trigger consumers
feel, the greater their tendency to impulse buying.
4. Hypothesis 4 (H4): Previous experience (PE) affects impulsive buying (IB), with
an estimate of 0.190, a CR value of 2.415, and a p-value of 0.016 (p < 0.05). This
suggests that previous shopping experience also influences impulse buying
decisions. The moderating variable coded "interaction" represents the
moderating effect of previous experience on the relationship between
visualization and impulse buying. The interaction estimate is 0.003, the CR
value is 5.324, and the p-value is < 0.001 (***). These results indicate that the
interaction or moderation is significant, meaning that previous experience
moderates the relationship between visualization and impulse buying. In other
words, the effect of visualization on impulse buying is influenced by
consumers' previous experiences; positive experiences strengthen the
relationship, while negative experiences may weaken it.
Discussion
The results of this study highlight the significant role of product visualization
in triggering emotional responses that drive impulse buying behavior. Visual elements
such as clarity, aesthetics, and visual effects are critical stimuli that increase consumers'
emotional arousal, ultimately influencing impulse purchase decisions. This finding
aligns with previous research showing that product visualization on e-commerce
platforms is a potent stimulus that increases emotional engagement and accelerates
purchase decision-making (Liu et al., 2019). This study confirms that emotional
triggers mediate the relationship between visualization and impulse buying, with
emotions such as excitement driving consumers to buy when exposed to visually
appealing products. In addition, the moderating effect of previous experience is
evident, where consumers with positive previous experience are more likely to buy
impulse when exposed to effective visual stimuli. In contrast, consumers with negative
experiences tend to exhibit more cautious purchasing behavior. This finding supports
the research of Hussain et al. (2024), which shows that previous experience serves as a
filter that influences consumer responses to visual stimuli in decision-making,
strengthening trust in familiar products and reducing risk in unfamiliar products. This
moderating role of previous experience suggests that consumer behavior is not
entirely driven by impulsivity but is shaped by their previous interactions with the
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brand or product. This reinforces that satisfaction with earlier purchases can facilitate
future impulse-buying tendencies. Therefore, e-commerce players must create positive
consumer experiences to capitalize on this tendency.
Implications
From a practical perspective, these findings provide important implications for
e-commerce marketers. Understanding the interplay between product visualization
and emotional triggers offers valuable insights for designing more effective marketing
strategies. First, emphasizing visually rich product presentation through high-quality
images, engaging videos, and aesthetically pleasing layouts can increase consumer
engagement and encourage impulse purchase behavior. Visual tools that evoke
positive emotions, such as excitement and desire, can increase sales conversion rates.
Secondly, e-commerce platforms should previously experience customer
retention through personalized experiences. Given the moderating effect of previous
experience, maintaining positive post-purchase interactions is critical to encourage
repeat impulse buying. Good post-purchase support, engaging communication, and
offers tailored to purchase history can increase customer loyalty and encourage
impulse buying on subsequent transactions.
In addition, time-limited promotions, exclusive offers, and product bundling
should be visually displayed to maximize emotional engagement. By leveraging
emotional triggers such as urgency, brands can drive more effective spontaneous
buying behavior, ultimately improving sales performance.
CONCLUSION
This study attempts to contribute to the literature on consumer behavior in e-
commerce by examining the relationship between product visualization, emotional
triggers, impulse buying, and the moderating role of previous experience. The findings
show that well-designed visual stimuli evoke emotional responses and significantly
influence impulse purchase behavior, especially in consumers with positive previous
experiences. These results emphasize the importance of integrating emotional and
visual elements in e-commerce strategies to increase consumer engagement and sales.
Future research could explore the impact of more innovative visual formats,
such as augmented reality or virtual try-ons, on impulse purchase behavior across
different consumer segments. In addition, examining the long-term impact of impulse
buying triggered by emotional triggers could provide deeper insights into consumer
satisfaction and post-purchase behavior. Overall, this study highlights the critical role
of emotional and visual factors in shaping impulse buying tendencies in digital
marketplaces.
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