Essay 022 (Power of advertising)

You should spend about 40 minutes on this task.

Write about the following topic:

Today the high sales of popular consumer goods reflect the power of advertising and not the real needs of the society in which they are sold. 

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

Reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience.

You should write at least 250

Although the lure of advertisements helps to sell products to some extent, the reason for the large sale of consumer goods cannot be attributed to it.  The increasing needs of people for convenience and luxury, and the rising purchasing power of the society, have contributed considerably to this phenomenon.

Firstly, modern inventions have helped people to have products that would reduce their physical labour, wastage of time and increase convenience.  Hence people would buy things that would make their life easy and comfortable.  For instance, modern devices like washing machines, dishwashers, blenders and microwave ovens have saved a great deal of time for housewives and reduced their physical effort.  This would prompt them to buy more and more such products with newer features and discard the older ones.  Moreover, people also buy tinned and instant foods in large amounts to save the time for cooking.  This would mean that it is the real needs of people that automatically lead to the bulk sale of these products.

Secondly, the rising economic status has enabled people to buy many products that would help them to enjoy a luxurious lifestyle.  People today buy several cars, latest electronic gadgets, expensive dresses and rare cosmetics to flaunt their wealth.  The trend of giving gifts on every important occasion, also has greatly contributed to the sale of consumer goods in large quantities.  Much more than just advertisements, the requirements of people for a rich lifestyle have definitely helped companies to sell their products in bulk.

Advertisements have a big role in informing people about various products in the markets and their important features, but they cannot influence the buying habits of people beyond a certain level.  It also familiarise them with popular brands and help them to choose a product over others.  People may buy a product, attracted by a commercial campaign, but if it is not useful to them they would never buy it again.    

Overall, advertisements have some influence in the buying habits of people but the huge sale of consumer goods cannot be attributed to its power.