Weary of "Sold Out" culture

Is it just me or are "sold out" signs everywhere these days? Maybe I am more acutely aware of it after my stint outside of Japan, but in the last few months it feels like everywhere I go I see at least one "sold out" sign. Often (as was the case today) I see multiple signs indicating produce that was "sold to completion". I understand risk-averse inventory planning, but this feels more like create-a-buzz inventory planning! 

This type of marketing technique wouldn't work in my home country, because people would get very irate with multiple products sold out and not just on one day, but frequently. They would just go elsewhere and / or get an alternative product. Yet in Japan it doesn't deter people from visiting a store again. In fact, it probably entices them to visit again, to try and secure the coveted item(s). And the marketers win again, gaining repeat visitors through a simple technique that puts perceived value on exclusivity.

It is clever, there is no doubt about that, but I feel it is overused in the last couple of years. That "sold out" culture is being used to create a buzz around a product and drive a social media sharing frenzy, without enough consideration for the consumer. There is great excitement and joy for consumers that do manage to secure a limited quantity item, but the increase in sold out culture is making this consumer weary!