If you’re like the majority of the world, you likely spend a lot of time in the grocery store. Do you end up spending more than you planned? That’s because supermarkets use subtle tricks to get you to spend more money in their stores. Consider the following tricks supermarkets use the next time you are out and about in the market.
They know that sense of smell is strong
Grocery stores like to bake cookies, bread, and even rotisserie chickens close to the entrance. That’s because consumers are likely to buy something when their salivary glands go into overtime! This is why you should never arrive at the grocery store hungry.
Yes, shopping carts ARE bigger than usual
Shoppers will buy more if their shopping cart is larger, a marketing consultant realized. With more room to pile up the groceries, shoppers tend to buy more than they planned to. If you only need a few things, consider grabbing a small basket instead.
Buying more = consuming more
It may make financial sense to buy in bulk. However, the more you buy, the more you will likely consume. For example, if you used to grab a six-pack of Pepsi, it might take you a week to drink all six. If you decide to purchase a 12-pack to save a few cents, you’ll likely drink them up just as fast. Make sure your eating and drinking habits don’t change just because you bought more of the same product.
There is a reason produce is in the front
The yellow bananas, red grapes, and green watermelons all have something in common-bright colors. These attractive colors are known to put shoppers in good mood, leading them to buy more. That’s why grocery stores generally put their produce section in the front of the store by the entrance. Try shopping from the middle part of the store where canned goods and bland-looking boxed foods are kept instead.
Most consumers don’t know prices
Shoppers generally only remember how much milk, eggs, bread, and bananas cost. They typically don’t know what everything else should cost and won’t know if the price is a good one or not. It’s important to pay attention to prices as much as possible to get the best deals. Look through weekly grocery store flyers to get a handle on where your money is going.
Stores caught on to the last-minute ditches
Many shoppers would ditch a product or two when they got to the checkout lane to save a bit of money. Supermarkets caught on and began making their checkout lanes narrower. With less shelf space, shoppers don’t have anywhere to toss items they decide they don’t want anymore.
Lingering is great for business
Have you ever went to the grocery store for two things but ended up spending three times more than you planned? The longer you linger in a store, the more you will buy. Know exactly what you want to get before crossing the threshold so you won’t spend more than you budgeted for the week.
