Calling All Women Shoppers...I need a cleanup in the aisle marked ' Dazed & Confused'!

The shopping habits of women will always intrigue me. My curiosity started as child when my dear Aunt Mary would draaaag me to the mall where I eventually found myself being entertained with her sly shopping behavior. Aunt Mary was, and is, the queen of bargain shopping! She'll drop $500 in a nanosecond, only to return back to the crime scene 24 hours later to return/exchange the exact items she so desperately had to own. Why? To get a better deal for starters - a remarkably better deal.

Aunt Mary's strategy:
Think 1970's first (hence the store choices).
1. Arrive at mall 5 minutes before mall opens (Really? Yes, really.)
2. Hit L.S. Ayres, Blocks and JC Penney in that exact order like we were at the Battle of Normandy on D-Day. Yes, it was a bloody mess.
3. Shuffle through every garment known to man (err, woman) and for what reason? Besides to annoy me, I believe the sound of hangers sliding on the racks offered a hypnotic joy to women shoppers like the sound of slot machines in Reno do to those on the fragile side of 75. It was truly like watching Obi Wan Kenobi perform jedi mind tricks live and in person. Sad, but admittingly momentarily entertaining.
4. Although it was "completely necessary" to shuffle through every garment, she still only bought what was originally planned. Go figure. So, what could've been 10 minutes of shopping evolved into 4 hours. I was a patient kid, but this is where I turned into a jackass.
5. Home, soak feet, patch battle wounds, pizza, sleep, wash, rinse and repeat steps 1-6 if necessary.
6. Next day...CSI: Greenwood Mall - I'm cool on the outside, but I'm internally going postal now. We're back at hell's playground while I watch in disgust as my dear Aunt Mary exchanges e v e r y single item she just purchased 24 hours earlier. Running the mini marathon on a bed of nails would've been more pleasing! I'm a kid for crying out loud. Show me some love!
7. Aunt Mary walks away saving over half of what she just spent the day before because she exchanged for the sale price. The look on her face was priceless. Her eyes simultaneously displayed exhaustion and victory. Lance Armstrong wins at Le Tour de France. My Aunt wins at shopping. Awww, what a great paralell. ;)

Years later she explained to me why she's such a freak about shopping. She admitted it's not necessarily all about the sale price and getting a great deal. It's also about the shopping experience. Say what? Obviously there's something special about shopping that makes her FEEL euphoric. I won't pretend to get it, but I know this same mentality (emotion) is alive and well for so many women (and some men).

Ladies, will you be so kind and help me understand the shopping behavior of women?

What really gets you excited about shopping? Why?

Is it the social aspect of shopping that gets you excited?

Would you rather shop with a friend, or alone? Does it depend on what you're shopping for? Please explain.

Why do you choose some products(brands) over others?

Is packaging important to you?

If you had to choose one, would you shop at big box retailers, or boutiques? Why?

Weekday or weekend shopping preferred? Is your shopping behavior different on the weekdays vs. the weekends?

Will you share the last time you impulsivley bought something special, or fun? What was it about that particular product that made you feel good?

Please feel free to offer your own opinion and invent and answer your own question!

Thank you for helping me understand!