Supermarket Manipulation: Tricks that get us to buy more
Did you ever end buying stuff from the supermarket you never intended to buy? What about spending hours at the shop when all you needed was a bottle of milk? If the answer is yes, then you were a victim of supermarket manipulation. From the entrance, aisles and music, we’ll go through some of the tricks supermarkets use to get us to buy more.
The Entrance
We are trapped from the second we enter the store. The entrance door closes and wouldn’t open back from the inside. Sure we can get out from the exit door, but we already invested in our time and effort to shop. They have made it very easy for us to get in and start spending.
As you enter the shop, the first thing you see are flowers or fresh vegetables and fruits. Why? To make us feel good and comfortable. Would you feel the same if the first thing you see are toilet paper and cleaning water? Another form of supermarket manipulation used is having the bakery up front, in hopes of getting visitors hungrier and craving some food right from the very start.
The Aisles
Step in the first aisle and the supermarket has you in its power. The design of the store always has a purpose. The most consumed products like Milk are found at the end of the supermarket. That means we’ll need to pass through all products and offers along the way. It’s as if the supermarket is up-selling “Would you like some corn flakes with that?”
Food makers pay “slotting fees” for shelf spots. The best are considered those at the eye level where you’re most likely to look. Lower shelves are usually targeted for kids’ products, given it’s at their eye level. Some supermarkets in Europe have introduced a new form of supermarket manipulation: Speed bumps. Those “speed bumps” are located next to certain aisles to give customers more time to push their trolleys and check out the “Irresistible Offers”.
The Music
Ever noticed how the music is slow and relaxing? It’s no coincidence either. Relaxing music means spending more time at the store, hence, buying more. Once you feel comfortable there, it’s a mission well achieved for them.
Supermarket manipulation will go a step further in the future with the introduction of sound effects to be played next to every aisle. Imagine this: You’re walking down the beverage section when you hear a can of Pepsi being opened, or a mother hearing children laughing next to the diapers section. Such sound effects trigger our emotions and urge us to buy products instantly.
We hate to fall for traps and tricks. Transparency and honesty are key elements for every business owner. Forget tricks and manipulation, just show people who you really are and what you really do. With a simple, honest video, we can help can you touch peoples’ hearts instantly. Contact us today for free consultation.