70% Wary of Further Price Hikes – 'Proactive Consumption' Spreads: 44.5% 'Buy Early', 38.0% 'Bulk Buy'
A survey by Alulu Creation Mall, operated by System Research Co., Ltd., revealed that 71% of consumers are concerned about future price increases, and 68.6% have engaged in 'proactive consumption.' Food and daily necessities are the primary targets, indicating significant changes in consumer purchasing behavior.
📋 Article Processing Timeline
- 📰 Published: May 11, 2026 at 00:20
- 🔍 Collected: May 10, 2026 at 15:31
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: May 10, 2026 at 15:38 (6 min after Collected)
System Research Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Nagoya City, Aichi Prefecture), which operates 'Alulu Creation Mall' (hereinafter, Alulu Mall), conducted a survey targeting 20-60-year-olds nationwide on 'behavior and attitudes due to price increases.'
The results showed that 71.0% of respondents felt that 'prices would increase further in the future,' indicating a widespread sense of caution regarding price hikes.
Furthermore, a total of 68.6% responded that they had experienced purchasing items because they thought, 'I should buy it now while I still can.' This indicates that vigilance against price increases is influencing actual purchasing behavior.
On the other hand, 32.5% of respondents said they would 'reconsider if it's truly necessary' when they became aware of price increases, suggesting that both 'buying early' and 'becoming cautious' behaviors are observed.
**Survey Results**
**■ 71.0% Believe 'Prices Will Increase Further' – Widespread Caution About Price Hikes**
When asked how they feel when they become aware of price increases, the results were:
* Believe prices will increase further in the future: 71.0%
* Start checking sales and campaigns: 28.5%
* Become anxious about products running out of stock: 20.0%
It was found that many people feel not only about current price increases but also that 'prices will continue to rise in the future.'
**■ 'Proactive Buying' Driven by Price Awareness: Total 68.6%**
When asked if they had experienced purchasing products because they thought, 'I should buy it now,' due to price awareness, the results were:
* Often: 19.8%
* Sometimes: 48.8%
Totaling 68.6% who have experienced 'proactive buying.' This suggests that awareness of price increases is directly leading to actual purchasing behavior.
**■ Over 90% of Proactive Purchases are 'Food and Daily Necessities'**
When those with proactive purchasing experience were asked which products showed this tendency, the results were:
* Food and daily necessities: 92.6%
* Home appliances and gadgets: 26.8%
* Fashion: 16.4%
'Food and daily necessities' stood out overwhelmingly, indicating that products closely related to daily life have a strong tendency to be purchased before price increases.
**■ When Aware of Price Increases, 44.5% 'Buy Early' – But Also 'Cautious Consumption'**
Regarding actions taken when aware of price increases, the top responses were:
* Buy early: 44.5%
* Buy in bulk: 38.0%
On the other hand, responses also included:
* Reconsider if it's truly necessary: 32.5%
* Compare prices with other sites: 22.5%
* Decide not to purchase: 13.3%
While 'buying now' behavior increases due to price hikes, a certain number of consumers are also cautiously reviewing their expenditures.
**■ Top Reason for Not Buying Immediately: 'Don't Know If It's Really Necessary'**
When asked why they don't buy immediately even if they are aware of price increases, the top reasons were:
* Don't know if it's really necessary: 44.0%
* Not urgent enough to buy immediately: 32.3%
* Lack of budget: 29.2%
The results show consumer psychology that carefully judges based on necessity and budget, even with anxiety about price increases.
**■ Vigilance Against Price Hikes Leads to Both 'Proactive Buying' and 'Cautious Consumption'**
This survey revealed that over 70% of people feel that 'prices will increase further,' indicating a widespread sense of caution about price increases. As a result, 'proactive consumption' such as 'buying early' and 'buying in bulk' is observed. Simultaneously, a certain amount of cautious consumption behavior, such as 'reconsidering if it's truly necessary,' also exists. This suggests that price increases are not just about price fluctuations but are also influencing consumers' 'way of buying.'
Details of the survey results here:
https://alulu.com/media/tips_priceupbuy/
*Request for citation/reposting of data*
When using the survey results/images from this release, please include a link to the official website of 'Alulu Creation Mall' (https://alulu.com/) as the citation source.
**[Survey Outline]**
* Target: 20-60 year olds nationwide
* Survey Period: May 7, 2026
* Survey Institution: Crowdsourcing site
* Survey Method: Calculation of response ratios for each question item
* Valid Responses: 400 people
*Note: Due to rounding percentages to the second decimal place, the total may not be 100%.*
**[About Alulu Creation Mall]**
'Alulu' values not only the charm of products and services but also 'who you buy from,' featuring abundant content that conveys the history of shops, the feelings of producers, and the personalities of artisans. You can encounter products you like after learning their stories. Moving forward, 'Alulu' aims to be a place where 'people (shops) and people (customers)' gather and connect.
The results showed that 71.0% of respondents felt that 'prices would increase further in the future,' indicating a widespread sense of caution regarding price hikes.
Furthermore, a total of 68.6% responded that they had experienced purchasing items because they thought, 'I should buy it now while I still can.' This indicates that vigilance against price increases is influencing actual purchasing behavior.
On the other hand, 32.5% of respondents said they would 'reconsider if it's truly necessary' when they became aware of price increases, suggesting that both 'buying early' and 'becoming cautious' behaviors are observed.
**Survey Results**
**■ 71.0% Believe 'Prices Will Increase Further' – Widespread Caution About Price Hikes**
When asked how they feel when they become aware of price increases, the results were:
* Believe prices will increase further in the future: 71.0%
* Start checking sales and campaigns: 28.5%
* Become anxious about products running out of stock: 20.0%
It was found that many people feel not only about current price increases but also that 'prices will continue to rise in the future.'
**■ 'Proactive Buying' Driven by Price Awareness: Total 68.6%**
When asked if they had experienced purchasing products because they thought, 'I should buy it now,' due to price awareness, the results were:
* Often: 19.8%
* Sometimes: 48.8%
Totaling 68.6% who have experienced 'proactive buying.' This suggests that awareness of price increases is directly leading to actual purchasing behavior.
**■ Over 90% of Proactive Purchases are 'Food and Daily Necessities'**
When those with proactive purchasing experience were asked which products showed this tendency, the results were:
* Food and daily necessities: 92.6%
* Home appliances and gadgets: 26.8%
* Fashion: 16.4%
'Food and daily necessities' stood out overwhelmingly, indicating that products closely related to daily life have a strong tendency to be purchased before price increases.
**■ When Aware of Price Increases, 44.5% 'Buy Early' – But Also 'Cautious Consumption'**
Regarding actions taken when aware of price increases, the top responses were:
* Buy early: 44.5%
* Buy in bulk: 38.0%
On the other hand, responses also included:
* Reconsider if it's truly necessary: 32.5%
* Compare prices with other sites: 22.5%
* Decide not to purchase: 13.3%
While 'buying now' behavior increases due to price hikes, a certain number of consumers are also cautiously reviewing their expenditures.
**■ Top Reason for Not Buying Immediately: 'Don't Know If It's Really Necessary'**
When asked why they don't buy immediately even if they are aware of price increases, the top reasons were:
* Don't know if it's really necessary: 44.0%
* Not urgent enough to buy immediately: 32.3%
* Lack of budget: 29.2%
The results show consumer psychology that carefully judges based on necessity and budget, even with anxiety about price increases.
**■ Vigilance Against Price Hikes Leads to Both 'Proactive Buying' and 'Cautious Consumption'**
This survey revealed that over 70% of people feel that 'prices will increase further,' indicating a widespread sense of caution about price increases. As a result, 'proactive consumption' such as 'buying early' and 'buying in bulk' is observed. Simultaneously, a certain amount of cautious consumption behavior, such as 'reconsidering if it's truly necessary,' also exists. This suggests that price increases are not just about price fluctuations but are also influencing consumers' 'way of buying.'
Details of the survey results here:
https://alulu.com/media/tips_priceupbuy/
*Request for citation/reposting of data*
When using the survey results/images from this release, please include a link to the official website of 'Alulu Creation Mall' (https://alulu.com/) as the citation source.
**[Survey Outline]**
* Target: 20-60 year olds nationwide
* Survey Period: May 7, 2026
* Survey Institution: Crowdsourcing site
* Survey Method: Calculation of response ratios for each question item
* Valid Responses: 400 people
*Note: Due to rounding percentages to the second decimal place, the total may not be 100%.*
**[About Alulu Creation Mall]**
'Alulu' values not only the charm of products and services but also 'who you buy from,' featuring abundant content that conveys the history of shops, the feelings of producers, and the personalities of artisans. You can encounter products you like after learning their stories. Moving forward, 'Alulu' aims to be a place where 'people (shops) and people (customers)' gather and connect.