The weather forecast is reporting that the season’s first snowfall is predicted to hit tomorrow, and it will also involve ice and sleet. Many homeowners rush out to purchase shovels and de-icing rock salt for their driveways. This has stimulated , which is a part of the buying process.

The correct answer is: Need recognition.

Explanation:

The need recognition is the first part or stage of the consumer's buying process and is characterized and can be understood as the stage where the customer assesses, identifies, and acknowledges a need and then goes to identify that a product might satisfy the need that he or she is currently having.

In this particular case, The weather forecast is reporting that the season’s first snowfall is predicted to hit tomorrow, and it will also involve ice and sleet. Many homeowners rush out to purchase shovels and de-icing rock salt for their driveways.

The fact that the homeowners rush out to purchase shovels and de-icing rock salt for their driveways shows that the Need recognition process has been stimulated.