Influence of Uncertainty and Anxiety on Panic Buying

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the relationship between uncertainty, anxiety, and panic buying in Pakistan. This study has considered uncertainty as independent variable, anxiety as mediator, and panic buying as dependent variable, to explore the relationship among them. For assessing the relationship between study’s variables, shoppers associated with apparel outlets of twin cities in Pakistan is the population finalized for data collection. A structured questionnaire based on five-point Likert Scale (representing 1 as “Strongly Disagree”, 2 as “Disagree”, 3 as “Neutral”, 4 as “Agree” and 5 as “Strongly Agree”) is adopted from Omar et al. (2021) and distributed among shoppers associated with apparel outlets of twin cities in Pakistan. 250 respondents (shoppers associated with apparel outlets of twin cities in Pakistan) are finalized through Morgan Table and questionnaires are distributed among them for data collection. Data collected from these respondents is analyzed through SPSS Software 21 with the help of statistical tests (correlation, regression, and mediation analysis). Correlation and regression analysis has proved the significant relationship among uncertainty, anxiety and panic buying in Pakistan, accepting H1, H2, and H3. Finally, mediation analysis has proved the significant mediating effect of anxiety in relationship among uncertainty and panic buying in Pakistan, accepting H4. Therefore, findings have proved that increase in uncertainty increases anxiety and panic buying, and increase in uncertainty also increased anxiety among shoppers associated with apparel outlets of twin cities in Pakistan. Finally, findings have also proved that increase in anxiety of customers further strengths the relationship among uncertainty and panic buying in Pakistan.