These Grocery Store Tricks are Making You Spend More - Find Out How to Fight Back
- Replies 12
You’re in the store, determined to stay within your grocery budget and make the most of your money, when suddenly those supermarket bakery smells are calling your name, that end-of-aisle display of chocolate bars is staring at you, and the discount stickers that plaster their brightly coloured logos onto every item almost feel like they’re shouting out to you.
If you’ve ever found yourself in this vicious cycle, then you’re certainly not alone.
Believe it or not, supermarkets have some clever marketing tricks up their sleeves to ensure that shoppers are encouraged to buy more, and we often don’t even realise they’re doing it! But, fear not, Seniors Discount Club members, we’ve got your back.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the tricks that supermarkets use, and how to beat them.
The Eye Level Trick
The eye level tactic is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Consumer psychologist Dr. Cathrine Jansson-Boyd explains the strategy – supermarkets purposely and strategically place products on shelves to ensure that shoppers are encouraged to buy pricier items.
‘If we walk down aisle after aisle we tend not to want to scan up and down because it's a bombardment of stimuli and that's exhausting if you do it continuously. So we are often just looking at eye height which is about both consumers 135 centimetres from the floor. We're then more likely to pick up what's right in front of us as it's more convenient.’ she says.
More expensive items are placed at eye level (ever wonder where the expression ‘top shelf’ comes from?), while cheaper items are placed on lower shelves. Sure, bending down to take a look might feel like a chore, but it’s certainly worth it if it means saving a few extra dollars.
Sales That Aren’t Really Sales
Another trick that supermarkets use is to offer sales that are really just regular prices in disguise. You might be attracted to a deal offering two items for the price of one, but how many do you really need?
Often, the best course of action is avoiding these ‘sales’ entirely and questioning how necessary the items are. For example, three packets of Tim Tams might seem like a good deal, but if you hadn’t planned on buying them in the first place, then it won’t save you any money at all.
Supermarkets also often artificially mark up items, only to reduce their prices back to ‘normal’ levels to be able to claim they’re on special.
Impulse Buying
Supermarkets use clever marketing tactics to encourage shoppers to make impulse buys. We’ve all been guilty of it – you’re in the checkout line and you see that big, shiny display of chocolate bars and decide to throw one in your basket, or you’re at the deli counter and you spot that fancy cheese that you just have to try.
Impulse buys are a major source of waste, especially when it comes to food, and they can have a significant impact on your budget. To avoid impulse buying, take the time to make a shopping list before you go to the store, and stick to it!
Supermarket layout
The layout of the store is also a clever trick used to encourage shoppers to buy more. Usually, the most commonly bought items such as bread, milk, and eggs are placed at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past all the other products in order to get to the items you need.
Grocery Shopping Tips
So, how do you fight back against these insidious tricks? Just being aware that the whole shopping process is designed to make you spend more than you intended to is a good first step, but there are a few other techniques to keep in mind too.
• Make a strict budget. Having a budget is the best way to ensure that you stay on track while shopping and don’t overspend.
• Stick to your list. Make sure that you only buy what you need, and avoid any impulse purchases.
• Take advantage of stores’ loyalty programs. Some stores offer loyalty cards that give you discounts, so make sure to take advantage of them.
• Look for genuine sales and discounts. Supermarkets often offer clearance prices (the so-called 'yellow sticker' items at Woolies, for example) on items that are nearing their expiry date.
• Shop online. Shopping online not only saves you time, but you'll also avoid most of the tricks the supermarkets use to get you to buy more.
• Don’t shop when you’re hungry. Going to the store on an empty stomach will make you more likely to buy things you don’t need.
• Stick to the perimeter of the store. This is generally where the most nutritious foods are located and where you’ll find the freshest produce.
With Australian grocery prices on the rise, Aussies need to plan and save money now more than ever. By keeping in mind some of these tips, and avoiding the marketing traps that supermarkets use, you may be pleasantly surprised at how much extra money you can save!
If you’ve ever found yourself in this vicious cycle, then you’re certainly not alone.
Believe it or not, supermarkets have some clever marketing tricks up their sleeves to ensure that shoppers are encouraged to buy more, and we often don’t even realise they’re doing it! But, fear not, Seniors Discount Club members, we’ve got your back.
Let’s take a closer look at a few of the tricks that supermarkets use, and how to beat them.
The Eye Level Trick
The eye level tactic is one of the oldest tricks in the book. Consumer psychologist Dr. Cathrine Jansson-Boyd explains the strategy – supermarkets purposely and strategically place products on shelves to ensure that shoppers are encouraged to buy pricier items.
‘If we walk down aisle after aisle we tend not to want to scan up and down because it's a bombardment of stimuli and that's exhausting if you do it continuously. So we are often just looking at eye height which is about both consumers 135 centimetres from the floor. We're then more likely to pick up what's right in front of us as it's more convenient.’ she says.
More expensive items are placed at eye level (ever wonder where the expression ‘top shelf’ comes from?), while cheaper items are placed on lower shelves. Sure, bending down to take a look might feel like a chore, but it’s certainly worth it if it means saving a few extra dollars.
Sales That Aren’t Really Sales
Another trick that supermarkets use is to offer sales that are really just regular prices in disguise. You might be attracted to a deal offering two items for the price of one, but how many do you really need?
Often, the best course of action is avoiding these ‘sales’ entirely and questioning how necessary the items are. For example, three packets of Tim Tams might seem like a good deal, but if you hadn’t planned on buying them in the first place, then it won’t save you any money at all.
Supermarkets also often artificially mark up items, only to reduce their prices back to ‘normal’ levels to be able to claim they’re on special.
Note the way that the price routinely fluctuates between a higher ‘normal’ price and a lower ‘sale’ price. Source: PriceHipster.
Impulse Buying
Supermarkets use clever marketing tactics to encourage shoppers to make impulse buys. We’ve all been guilty of it – you’re in the checkout line and you see that big, shiny display of chocolate bars and decide to throw one in your basket, or you’re at the deli counter and you spot that fancy cheese that you just have to try.
Impulse buys are a major source of waste, especially when it comes to food, and they can have a significant impact on your budget. To avoid impulse buying, take the time to make a shopping list before you go to the store, and stick to it!
Supermarket layout
The layout of the store is also a clever trick used to encourage shoppers to buy more. Usually, the most commonly bought items such as bread, milk, and eggs are placed at the back of the store, forcing you to walk past all the other products in order to get to the items you need.
Grocery Shopping Tips
So, how do you fight back against these insidious tricks? Just being aware that the whole shopping process is designed to make you spend more than you intended to is a good first step, but there are a few other techniques to keep in mind too.
• Make a strict budget. Having a budget is the best way to ensure that you stay on track while shopping and don’t overspend.
• Stick to your list. Make sure that you only buy what you need, and avoid any impulse purchases.
• Take advantage of stores’ loyalty programs. Some stores offer loyalty cards that give you discounts, so make sure to take advantage of them.
• Look for genuine sales and discounts. Supermarkets often offer clearance prices (the so-called 'yellow sticker' items at Woolies, for example) on items that are nearing their expiry date.
• Shop online. Shopping online not only saves you time, but you'll also avoid most of the tricks the supermarkets use to get you to buy more.
• Don’t shop when you’re hungry. Going to the store on an empty stomach will make you more likely to buy things you don’t need.
• Stick to the perimeter of the store. This is generally where the most nutritious foods are located and where you’ll find the freshest produce.
With Australian grocery prices on the rise, Aussies need to plan and save money now more than ever. By keeping in mind some of these tips, and avoiding the marketing traps that supermarkets use, you may be pleasantly surprised at how much extra money you can save!
.png){kind=icon}
