PH developers bring South Korea’s ‘dopamine shopping’ trend to local platforms

PeykMart and DopaHaul recreate the e-commerce experience without spending.

Browsing through products, adding items to a cart, checking out, and tracking deliveries are part of the online shopping experience. But what if all of this could be done without spending real money?

“Dopamine online shopping” recreates the e-commerce experience without financial consequences, giving users the same gratification associated with shopping.

The idea started in South Korea, where “dopamine websites” featured simulated carts, vouchers, and deliveries.

The concept has now reached the Philippines through platforms like Peykmart and DopaHaul, which position themselves as experimental spaces. Users can browse items, join daily spins, collect points, and track “deliveries” within the system.

Peykmart developer Reymark Arsenio told radar he simply wanted to introduce the concept to Filipinos. DopaHaul developer Christopher Manubay on Threads said his creation seeks to satisfy the “psychological urge” of shoppers.

The two platforms, though had similar concepts, received different responses.

Peykmart earned positive feedback on Threads, with users focusing on its entertainment value.

DopaHaul drew mixed reactions on Reddit, with users raising concerns about shopping addiction and the need for a simulated shopping experience. Others also flagged possible misuse, especially since users input personal data.

Reactions to both platforms reflect differing views on how impulse spending should be addressed. While some users see simulated shopping as a harmless outlet, others question the value of recreating the shopping experience without actual purchases.

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