19 Dec 2025

Provoke Insights’ latest thought leadership examines the growing gap between grocery shoppers’ clean eating intentions and their real world purchasing behavior.

Published in QRCA Views, research expert Carly Fink explores why what consumers say they want often does not align with what ends up in their carts. The article introduces an integrated qualitative research framework that helps brands better interpret these contradictions and understand decision making in context.

Drawing on real grocery shopping dynamics, the piece highlights how stated preferences for clean foods and transparent ingredient claims are frequently overridden by impulse, price sensitivity, convenience, and familiarity at the point of purchase. These competing priorities reveal why health focused intentions often break down in the moment.

Rather than relying solely on traditional surveys, the thought leadership emphasizes the importance of qualitative methodologies in uncovering the why behind consumer behavior. Approaches such as System 1 gut response techniques, ethnographic interviews, journey mapping, and projective exercises illuminate the emotional and situational drivers shaping grocery decisions in real time.

By examining grocery shopping within its true decision making context, the article shows how brands can better bridge the gap between attitudes and behaviors. Understanding the emotional trade offs shoppers make such as balancing health goals with family preferences, budget constraints, and time pressures can help brands build trust, enhance credibility around health and sustainability claims, and develop more effective packaging, messaging, and product innovation.

For deeper insight into decoding consumer contradictions in grocery shopping, read the full article here.

To explore more perspectives on grocery shopper psychology and qualitative research tools, visit Provoke Insights’ latest industry research and methodologies here.

17 Dec 2025

Shopify draws on Provoke Insight’s consumer market research to examine why impulse buying remains a powerful force in ecommerce. The article explores how unplanned purchases are shaped by emotion, convenience, and discovery, and how digital shopping environments are designed to encourage spontaneous decisions.

The consumer market research shows that impulse buying is less about lack of discipline and more about how shoppers respond to emotional cues, perceived value, and moments of frictionless convenience. Digital platforms that remove barriers and surface relevant products are especially effective at triggering impulse behavior.

Provoke Insights’ research highlights that emotional appeal plays a central role in impulse purchases. Shoppers are more likely to buy spontaneously when products feel rewarding, timely, or easy to justify.

Low-friction experiences amplify these decisions. Seamless navigation, fast checkout, and personalized recommendations reduce hesitation and make unplanned purchases feel effortless.

Discovery is another key driver. Visual merchandising, trending items, and complementary product suggestions create moments that prompt shoppers to act in the moment rather than delay decisions.

The takeaway is clear. Ecommerce brands that combine emotional appeal, ease of use, and trust-building signals are better positioned to capture impulse purchases without increasing buyer regret.

To learn more about how impulse buying tactics influence ecommerce performance, read the full article here.

Explore more Provoke Insights research and industry perspectives on retail decision-making here.

7 Oct 2025
Published by Business Wire, new market research on business impact from Provoke Insights shows that manager effectiveness is a critical driver of business performance, employee engagement, and workplace culture.


The study, Cracking the Code on Manager Impact: Closing the Gap Between Perception and Performance, conducted with Insperity, surveyed 1,000 U.S. executives, managers, frontline employees, and HR professionals. It reveals a clear perception gap between leadership and employees: while nearly half of executives believe managers exceed expectations, only about one in five frontline employees agree.


According to market research on business impact, effective management is closely tied to business outcomes. Organizations with effective managers are twice as likely to report strong performance, and employees who rate their managers highly are far more likely to describe workplace culture as healthy and aligned with company values. However, heavy administrative demands, growing workloads, and limited leadership training continue to limit manager effectiveness.


The findings reinforce that strong managers are essential to both performance and culture. Companies that invest in manager development, clear communication, and employee empowerment are better positioned to drive long-term success.


For more insight into how manager effectiveness impacts business outcomes and workplace culture, read the full article here.

Explore more leadership and workforce research from Provoke Insights here.