Cairo—the city where lights never go off and bazaars never seem to end—saw an overwhelming surge of shopping fever last weekend. Across the city, flea markets and pop-up bazaars sprang to life, with local brands showcasing everything from handmade jewelry to artisanal pickles. The scene at L.A Market was especially wild: over 250 tents stood tall, filled with diverse vendors, niche products, and, most noticeably, an unstoppable crowd.
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And we’re not talking casual strolls through charming stalls. No, you could barely step foot into the place. Shoppers darted from booth to booth, arms loaded with bags. It felt less like a leisurely market visit and more like a retail race. The question lingered: what’s driving this frenzy?
INFLUENCER CULTURE: ADS IN DISGUISE
Open Instagram, and you’re not met with updates—you’re met with offers. Not just ads between Stories, but the content is the ad. The influencers we follow, many of whom now run their own small businesses, have blurred the line between personal content and sales pitch. You scroll through a 30-second video and suddenly feel you need a scented candle, a handmade tote, and maybe even a whole new closet.
It’s not malicious—it’s just overwhelming. What started as inspiration has quickly evolved into pressure.
EVERYONE IS BUYING—SO AM I
There’s peer pressure, and then there’s non-peer pressure. You may get manipulated into buying something your friend got. But some stranger on TikTok doing a Labubu unboxing? That’s really dangerous. Makes you feel something? Curiosity? Envy? A strange sense of urgency?
It’s easy to laugh at, until you realize you’ve ordered three things you didn’t even know existed five minutes ago.
SHOPPING THERAPY, GONE WILD
We all need a little joy. A retail pick-me-up here and there? Harmless. But what happens when the joy fades fast and the credit card bill doesn’t? Shopping has become therapy, social validation, and an oddly competitive sport—all at once.
The result? A population chasing satisfaction in paper bags and cardboard boxes, hoping the next purchase will finally fill that undefined void.
SO… HOW SHOULD WE FEEL ABOUT ALL THIS?
Let’s get one thing straight: loving a good market, supporting local brands, and indulging in the occasional splurge isn’t a crime. But the question remains—are we buying what we actually want, or just what we’re told we should?
Before the next market stroll or checkout click, maybe ask:
Do I really need this? Or do I just want to belong to the moment?
