Endless promotions, discount codes valid only today, seamless transitions from one sales season to the next, and loyalty points to use on future purchases — the range of techniques designed to attract attention and trigger impulsive purchases is vast. And although many of them do make the shopping process more efficient, there are customers who feel overwhelmed by them. A conscious approach to shopping has therefore become not just a trend, but an everyday practice for many.

If we were to look for a Polish equivalent of “smart shopping,” the word that best captures the essence of the idea is “conscious.” It’s a way of shopping that helps filter out the excess of stimuli and focus on real needs rather than aggressive marketing messages. From the following text, you’ll learn what smart shopping is, which tools are useful when applying this strategy, and what benefits it can bring.

Table of contents:

  • What is smart shopping?
  • If not bargain hunting, then what? How to do smart shopping?
  • Essential tools for smart shoppers
  • How to design e-commerce in line with the smart shopping idea?
  • FAQ — frequently asked questions

Key takeaways:

  • smart shopping can be defined as a philosophy or strategy of conscious and well-thought-out purchasing;
  • it emphasizes product suitability, functionality, durability, and shopping comfort. Price is important, but not the most important factor;
  • the smart shopping strategy relies on, among other things, comparing prices and offers, analyzing reviews, and using tools that optimize the shopping process;
  • smart shopping is not a niche strategy;
  • e‑commerce is the perfect environment for smart shoppers, but smart shopping can also be done in brick-and-mortar stores;
  • implementing smart shopping elements in an online store is convenient for customers and brings benefits to sellers as well.

What is smart shopping?

Smart shopping can be defined as a strategy aimed at conscious, thoughtful purchasing with a focus on decision quality. Although price is a relevant factor, it is not the only one. Product suitability to customer needs, functionality, durability, and the comfort of the entire purchasing process are equally important. The core of smart shopping lies in finding balance between saving money, convenience, and the certainty that each purchase is thoughtful and worthwhile.

Thus, smart shopping contrasts with impulsive buying triggered by promotions, sudden deals, or fleeting whims — behaviors that often lead to a sense of wasted time and money.

If not bargain hunting, then what? How to do smart shopping?

Smart shopping isn’t about “snagging a deal,” but about making a good, satisfying decision that suits the customer's needs, budget, and expectations. The key elements in the decision-making process are:

  • comparing prices and offers from different sellers;
  • analyzing product reviews, reading feedback, and checking what other users say;
  • using tools that optimize the shopping process;
  • having the option of using fast and secure online payment methods.

Elements of this strategy are now used by most consumers. For example, many people prepare for shopping in advance. A study cited by “Rzeczpospolita” shows that 82% of Poles compare prices online before making a purchase decision.

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Essential tools for smart shoppers

E‑commerce is a real haven for smart shoppers — it provides access to hundreds or even thousands of products with just a few clicks, enables real-time price comparisons, and offers tools that significantly simplify the shopping process. The most important tools conscious consumers use include:

  • price comparison engines that quickly present offers from multiple sellers, helping find the best deal without visiting dozens of websites. It's worth noting that according to the “E-commerce in Poland 2025” report, as many as 60% of online buyers cite ease of comparing offers as a motivating factor, and 63% mention unrestricted time to choose and browsing without time pressure;
  • promotion alerts — apps and extensions that monitor price drops, discounts, or sales, helping plan purchases at the optimal moment;
  • aggregators of reviews and product/service ratings — smart shoppers heavily rely on collective wisdom. Checking other consumers’ experiences helps assess product quality and determine if a purchase will meet expectations;
  • cart management tools and wishlists, which help collect products for later review in order to choose the best match for one’s needs;
  • chatbots, virtual assistants, AI — these algorithms can, for example, analyze price history, predict price changes (e.g. what deals to expect for Black Friday based on past offers), and suggest products best suited to customers' needs.

How to design e-commerce in line with the smart shopping idea?

Online stores designed according to smart shopping principles bring benefits to both buyers and sellers. As an e-store owner, make sure to include:

  • clear product information such as: ingredients, dimensions, function descriptions, technical specifications, etc. It’s also worth including advanced filters and sorting options to help customers quickly find what they’re looking for;
  • visual product presentation: detailed product photos, 360-degree views, short videos;
  • clear and explicit information about pricing, promotions, and shipping costs to help customers evaluate purchase value;
  • consistent and coordinated promotional campaigns — an effective promotion strategy doesn't rely on creating customer addiction to deals, but offers value in a thoughtful way that encourages sound shopping decisions and builds brand trust;
  • product rating and visible reviews;
  • fast, secure, and diverse payment methods such as online transfers, BLIK, or PayPo, which shorten the purchase process and increase convenience;
  • various delivery options: for half of customers, having a choice of delivery/pickup methods is key to the shopping experience;
  • a wishlist feature;
  • integration with AI agents that can answer customer inquiries and recommend specific products available in your store.

  • It’s worth noting that a store implementing smart shopping principles is simply functional. It makes navigating the offer easier for customers, encouraging more purchases and completed transactions. A well-designed online store translates into higher conversion rates.

    Przelewy24 also offers payment solutions for brick-and-mortar stores. Learn more

    FAQ — frequently asked questions

    Does smart shopping only apply to online stores or also to physical retail?

    Brick-and-mortar store customers can also use smart shopping strategies: comparing prices via mobile apps, reading product reviews, or making the most of promotions in a thoughtful way. The most important aspect is making a conscious shopping decision, regardless of the sales channel.

    Does practicing smart shopping mean giving up deals and promotions?

    No, smart shopping doesn’t exclude using promotions, loyalty cards, or deals like Black Friday or seasonal sales. The point is to make use of them in a thoughtful way to generate actual benefits.

    How does Przelewy24’s offer fit into the concept of smart shopping?

    With Przelewy24, customers can access a variety of secure payment methods such as BLIK, online transfers, card payments, or installments. Additionally, the intuitive and user-friendly payment gateway makes checkout easy and fast, helping customers make stress-free, conscious purchase decisions.

    Sources:

    • Poles prepare thoroughly for shopping. They check online prices first, online source: https://www.rp.pl/handel/art43171291-polacy-gruntownie-przygotowuja-sie-do-zakupow-najpierw-sprawdza-ceny-w-internecie, access: December 5, 2025
    • “E-commerce in Poland 2025”, online source: https://gemius.com/documents/81/RAPORT_E-COMMERCE_2025.pdf, access: December 5, 2025