Impulse buys are most closely associated with which type of category role?

Impulse buys are closely associated with the convenience category role because these purchases are typically unplanned and occur at the point of sale. Convenience categories include items that consumers often buy on the spur of the moment due to their minimal planning and effort required to acquire them. This type of buying behavior is characterized by the immediacy of the purchase, fulfilling a need or desire in the moment without much consideration.

Items in the convenience category are usually positioned near checkout areas or in easily accessible locations, encouraging spontaneous purchases. Examples include snacks, beverages, and other small items that consumers may decide to buy while shopping for other groceries or errands. This environment promotes impulse purchases, making convenience an essential role for those products in retail settings.

Other category roles, such as destination, routine, and seasonal, do not primarily focus on unplanned purchases in the same way that convenience does. Destination items typically require a specific trip, routine items are regularly purchased and planned, and seasonal items are bought at particular times of the year, thus not aligning closely with the nature of impulse buying.