Sneaky strategies utilised by supermarkets to empty shoppers’ wallets revealed!
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Grocery shopping can be a delightful experience, especially when you're on the hunt for your favourite treats or ingredients for a special meal.
It is also a battlefield where supermarkets employ the most clever strategies to entice you into spending more than you initially planned.
For instance, why buy one packet of biscuits when you can have three for a cheaper price, right?
But beware, this is just one of the many tactics supermarkets use to make us part with our hard-earned cash.
As we approach the festive season, it's even easier to blow our budgets on grocery shopping.
So, let's delve into some of the most common supermarket tricks designed to make us spend more and find out how we can outsmart them.
1. The Floral Welcome
Ever noticed the beautiful array of flowers at the entrance of your local supermarket?
This is no accident. The vibrant colours and fresh scents are designed to entice you into the store.
While they may not be the supermarket's biggest profit-maker, they certainly do a great job of attracting us to the store.
2. Essential Items at the Back
Milk, bread, eggs—these everyday essentials are often strategically placed at the back of the store.
This forces shoppers to walk past aisles of tempting items, increasing the likelihood that we'll pick up a few extras along the way.
3. Checkout Temptations
The checkout aisle is a minefield of impulse buys, from chocolate bars to magazines.
It's all too easy to give in to these last-minute temptations, especially when you're shopping with kids.
4. The Power of Music
Music in supermarkets isn't just for ambience.
It's a psychological tool used to influence our shopping behaviour.
Slow, calming music encourages us to take our time and potentially add more to our carts.
Conversely, faster music is used during peak times to speed up our shopping pace.
So, how can we outsmart these supermarket strategies?
Awareness is the first step.
By understanding these tactics, you can make more informed choices or resist them altogether.
The top tip is to make a list and stick to it, avoiding these influences as much as possible.
Consumer Psychologist Peter Resanceff also revealed how you can resist the ‘receipt trick’. This is a psychological tactic utilised by supermarkets designed to manipulate shoppers into becoming loyal, repeat customers.
On your receipt, the store shows you the dollars you 'saved' compared to their made-up normal prices.
This strategy makes shoppers feel smart for spending less, which then increases their chances of coming back again and again, chasing the savings high.
You can read more about this supermarket trick here.
Have you noticed these tricks before? Do you have any other tips to share on how to resist these supermarket strategies? Let us know in the comments below.
It is also a battlefield where supermarkets employ the most clever strategies to entice you into spending more than you initially planned.
For instance, why buy one packet of biscuits when you can have three for a cheaper price, right?
But beware, this is just one of the many tactics supermarkets use to make us part with our hard-earned cash.
Supermarkets utilise sneaky strategies to trick shoppers into buying more. Image source: aleksandarlittlewolf on Freepik.
As we approach the festive season, it's even easier to blow our budgets on grocery shopping.
So, let's delve into some of the most common supermarket tricks designed to make us spend more and find out how we can outsmart them.
1. The Floral Welcome
Ever noticed the beautiful array of flowers at the entrance of your local supermarket?
This is no accident. The vibrant colours and fresh scents are designed to entice you into the store.
While they may not be the supermarket's biggest profit-maker, they certainly do a great job of attracting us to the store.
2. Essential Items at the Back
Milk, bread, eggs—these everyday essentials are often strategically placed at the back of the store.
This forces shoppers to walk past aisles of tempting items, increasing the likelihood that we'll pick up a few extras along the way.
3. Checkout Temptations
The checkout aisle is a minefield of impulse buys, from chocolate bars to magazines.
It's all too easy to give in to these last-minute temptations, especially when you're shopping with kids.
4. The Power of Music
Music in supermarkets isn't just for ambience.
It's a psychological tool used to influence our shopping behaviour.
Slow, calming music encourages us to take our time and potentially add more to our carts.
Conversely, faster music is used during peak times to speed up our shopping pace.
So, how can we outsmart these supermarket strategies?
Awareness is the first step.
By understanding these tactics, you can make more informed choices or resist them altogether.
The top tip is to make a list and stick to it, avoiding these influences as much as possible.
Consumer Psychologist Peter Resanceff also revealed how you can resist the ‘receipt trick’. This is a psychological tactic utilised by supermarkets designed to manipulate shoppers into becoming loyal, repeat customers.
On your receipt, the store shows you the dollars you 'saved' compared to their made-up normal prices.
This strategy makes shoppers feel smart for spending less, which then increases their chances of coming back again and again, chasing the savings high.
You can read more about this supermarket trick here.
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