SavedAdd your journal

Journals / International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research / 2026 / Cilt: 12 Sayı: 3

Exploring barriers to purchasing the necessary commodities in daily life and adaptive strategies of middle-class consumers in Bangladesh

Obaydur Rahman(Khulna University)0009-0007-3944-5364
Ety Rani(Khulna University)0000-0002-4106-2377
Pages
180–192
Publication Date
2026-09-06
🏛️Bibliographic metadata and full text access for this article are provided via DergiPark.
DergiPark Record ↗
✨

AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

Drawing on Bourdieu’s social capital theory, the findings further demonstrate how individuals and families mobilize social networks to cope with economic hardship and adapt to rising commodity prices.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study explores the barriers middle-class consumers in Bangladesh face when purchasing essential commodities and how they adapt to rising living costs.
📊
Key Findings & Data:Data were collected through nine in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with 29 participants, guided by a semi-structured interview guide.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:Drawing on Bourdieu’s social capital theory, the findings further demonstrate how individuals and families mobilize social networks to cope with economic hardship and adapt to rising commodity prices.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Middle-class consumers · Necessary commodities · Price fluctuations

Abstract

This study explores the barriers middle-class consumers in Bangladesh face when purchasing essential commodities and how they adapt to rising living costs. A qualitative design was employed in the Khulna and Jashore districts using purposive sampling. Data were collected through nine in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with 29 participants, guided by a semi-structured interview guide. The findings identify income constraints, price hikes, transportation costs, limited market access, cultural norms, festivals, and social expectations as the main barriers. The study suggests that price control policies, greater market transparency, targeted subsidies, and salary adjustments could reduce financial pressure on middle-class households. Drawing on Bourdieu’s social capital theory, the findings further demonstrate how individuals and families mobilize social networks to cope with economic hardship and adapt to rising commodity prices.

Özet

This study explores the barriers middle-class consumers in Bangladesh face when purchasing essential commodities and how they adapt to rising living costs. A qualitative design was employed in the Khulna and Jashore districts using purposive sampling. Data were collected through nine in-depth interviews and two focus group discussions with 29 participants, guided by a semi-structured interview guide. The findings identify income constraints, price hikes, transportation costs, limited market access, cultural norms, festivals, and social expectations as the main barriers. The study suggests that price control policies, greater market transparency, targeted subsidies, and salary adjustments could reduce financial pressure on middle-class households. Drawing on Bourdieu’s social capital theory, the findings further demonstrate how individuals and families mobilize social networks to cope with economic hardship and adapt to rising commodity prices.

🔖

Cite This Article

Rahman, O., Rani, E. (2026). Exploring barriers to purchasing the necessary commodities in daily life and adaptive strategies of middle-class consumers in Bangladesh. International Journal of Social Sciences and Education Research, Cilt: 12 Sayı: 3, 180–192. https://doi.org/10.24289/ijsser.1935026

📄 Full Text PDF Viewer

📄

PDF görüntüleyici hazırlanıyor...

References (31)

  1. Abdu, E. (2022). Financial distress situation of financial sectors in Ethiopia: A review paper. Cogent Economics & Finance, 10(1), 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1080/23322039.2021.1996020
  2. Abdujalilov, H. A., & Sheraliev, O. A. (2024). Inflation through the ages: Understanding its dynamics and global impacts. American Journal of Modern World Sciences, 1(3), 39–54.
  3. Ahmed, M. E., Khan, M. M., & Samad, N. (2016). Income, social class and consumer behaviour: A focus on developing nations. International Journal of Applied Business and Economic Research, 14(10), 6679–6702.
  4. Al Fidah, M. F., Efa, S., & Khan, M. (2024). Who belongs to the middle class? Identifying them using monthly family income. Qeios, 1-16. https://doi.org/10.32388/IYL0XZ.3
  5. Arman, M. (2023). A statistical analysis of the GDP and PCI of Bangladesh for the coming years. Applied Quantitative Analysis, 3(1), 55–67.
  6. Bourdieu, P. (1986). The forms of capital. In J. G. Richardson (Ed.), Handbook of theory and research for the sociology of education (pp. 241–258). Greenwood Press.
  7. Braun, V., & Clarke, V. (2006). Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qualitative Research in Psychology, 3(2), 77–101. https://doi.org/10.1191/1478088706qp063oa
  8. Campbell, J. R., & Hercowitz, Z. (2019). Liquidity constraints of the middle class. American Economic Journal: Economic Policy, 11(3), 130–155.
  9. Cavusgil, S. T., Deligonul, S., Kardes, I., & Cavusgil, E. (2018). Middle-class consumers in emerging markets: Conceptualization, propositions, and implications for international marketers. Journal of International Marketing, 26(3), 94–108. https://doi.org/10.1509/jim.16.0021
  10. Census of Bangladesh. (2022). Khulna district. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from http://203.112.218.65:8008/WebTestApplication/userfiles/Image/PopCen2011/Com_Khulna.pdf
  11. Chowdhury, A., Ratna, T. S., Akhter, T., & Hossain, S. F. A. (2024). Rise of inflation and formation of interest rate on loans in industrial sector: A VECM approach to assess the impact on total industrial production from evidence of Bangladesh. Heliyon, 10(3), 1-16. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e24976
  12. Deb, M., Alam, M. J., Palash, M. S., Begum, I. A., & McKenzie, A. M. (2023). Consumer concern about food safety hazards along the vegetables value chain in Bangladesh. Social Sciences & Humanities Open, 7(1), 1-18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssaho.2023.100448
  13. Ehrmann, M., Pfajfar, D., & Santoro, E. (2018). Consumers' attitudes and their inflation expectations. International Journal of Central Banking, 14(1), 225–259.
  14. Gang, I. N., Rivera-Batiz, F. L., & Yun, M. S. (2013). Economic strain, education, and attitudes towards foreigners in the European Union. Review of International Economics, 21(2), 177–190.
  15. Goswami, K., & Bandyopadhyay, A. (2003). Lipid profile in middle class Bengali population of Kolkata. Indian Journal of Clinical Biochemistry, 18(2), 127–130. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02867378
  16. Hossain, M. M. (2011). Consumption in rural Bangladesh: Households, lifestyles, and identities (Doctoral dissertation). University of Helsinki, Finland.
  17. Kamran, S., Uusitalo, O., & Rahman, S. U. (2025). Low-income consumers coping strategies to tackle marketplace exclusion: A developing country perspective. Journal of Strategic Marketing, 1–22. https://doi.org/10.1080/0965254X.2025.2561666
  18. Karim, K. M. R., & Tasnim, T. (2022). Impact of lockdown due to COVID-19 on nutrition and food security of the selected low-income households in Bangladesh. Heliyon, 8(5), 1-15. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09468
  19. Khandker, S. R. (2009). Poverty and income seasonality in Bangladesh (Policy Research Working Paper No. 4923). World Bank.
  20. Kumar, P., & Chand, R. (2010). Food security, research priorities and resource allocation in South Asia. Agricultural Economics Research Review, 23(2), 209–226.
  21. Mendoza, R. U., & Thelen, N. (2008). Innovations to make markets more inclusive for the poor. Development Policy Review, 26(4), 427–458.
  22. Natal, T. M. S., Bentulan, K. K. T., Del Rosario, R. J. L., Olazo, C. B., & Mangarin, J. A. (2024). Understanding financial behavior: An analysis of personal financial management among working professionals amidst the global inflation surge. Get International Research Journal, 2(1),183-208.
  23. Pinstrup-Andersen, P. (2016). Food price policy in an era of market instability: A political economy analysis. Oxford University Press.
  24. Population and Housing Census. (2022). Jashore district. Retrieved July 20, 2026, from http://203.112.218.101/storage/files/1/Publications/PHC_2021%20Community%20Report/KHULNA%20DIVISION/Community%20Report%20Jashore.pdf
  25. Rahman, K. M. (2019). Effects of income and expenditure on food intake of population in Bangladesh. Sciences, 9(3), 741–746.
  26. Raihan, S. (2013). The political economy of food price policy in Bangladesh. In P. Pinstrup-Andersen (Ed.), Food price policy in an era of market instability: A political economy analysis (pp. 231–250). Oxford University Press.
  27. Sen, A. (1981). Poverty and famines: An essay on entitlement and deprivation. Oxford University Press.
  28. Shahabuddin, A., & Akhter, N. (2024). Buying orientation of Bangladesh urban middle class consumers towards low involvement products. Dhaka University Journal of Business Studies, 20, 191–217.
  29. Stephens, D. L. (2023). Sociocultural and interpersonal influences on consumer behavior. In Stephens, D. L. (Ed.), Essentials of consumer behavior (pp. 112–127). Routledge.
  30. Tao, Z. (2021). Food price policy in an era of market instability: A political economy analysis. Phenikaa University. https://dlib.phenikaa-uni.edu.vn/handle/PNK/6522
  31. Yamin, A. B. (2016). Price volatility and its impact on developing economy: Bangladesh perspective. European Journal of Business and Management, 8, 96–102.