Supermarkets are experts in using psychological strategies to influence your purchasing decisions. From the arrangement of products on shelves to the background music, everything is carefully designed to encourage consumer spending. In this article, we are going to explore the 12 most common psychological tricks that supermarkets use to make you spend more money when you go shopping.
1. Strategic product placement
One of the tricks most used by supermarkets is to place the most expensive and tempting products at eye level on the shelves. In this way, the aim is for the consumer to see them easily and consider them as a primary purchase option. Cheaper products are usually on lower or higher shelves, where the customer is less likely to notice them.
2. Irresistible Offers
Supermarkets often use "buy one, get one free" offers or quantity discounts to encourage customers to buy more than they really need. These deals create a sense of urgency and scarcity, leading people to feel pressured to buy more than planned.
3. Music and sensory environment
Music and the environment in general can influence consumers' mood and, therefore, their purchasing decisions. Supermarkets often use happy and relaxing music to create a pleasant atmosphere that invites customers to stay longer in the store and, consequently, spend more money.
4. Attractive smells
Supermarkets also take advantage of smells to influence purchasing decisions. The smell of freshly baked bread, for example, can whet customers' appetites and make them more likely to purchase baked goods or other foods.
5. Shopping Cart Design
Shopping carts are designed to appear emptier than they really are, which can lead to customers purchasing more products than they initially planned. In addition, supermarkets often place small, tempting products near the checkout so customers can add them to their purchase at the last minute.
6. Emotional labeling
Product labeling can influence the perception that consumers have of them. Supermarkets often use emotional terms such as "natural", "artisan" or "premium" to make customers perceive certain products as more special or of higher quality, which can lead to them being willing to pay more for them.
7. Colors and signage
Colors and signage play an important role in the way supermarkets direct the flow of customer traffic and highlight certain products. For example, bright colors are often used to draw attention to offers and promotions, while softer colors can create a feeling of calm and tranquility in certain sections of the store.
8. Shelf size and shape
High and deep shelves can make products look more abundant and attractive to customers' eyes. Additionally, supermarkets often use angled or curved shelves to direct the flow of customer traffic and encourage exploration of certain sections of the store.
9. Strategic positioning of essential products
Essential products, such as milk or bread, are usually located at the back of the store so that customers have to walk through the entire establishment to reach them . This increases the chances that consumers will stop along the way and purchase other products that they had not planned to purchase.
10. Subliminal Advertising
Supermarkets use subliminal advertising techniques, such as the use of specific colors, shapes or images, to unconsciously influence purchasing decisions. These techniques can create positive associations with certain products and make customers more inclined to purchase them.
11. Arranging products in groups
Supermarkets often group complementary or related products, such as sauces and noodles, to encourage additional purchases. By placing these products together, it is easier for customers to find everything they need in one place and be more inclined to take both products.
12. Package sizes and prices
Supermarkets often use specific package sizes and prices finished in odd numbers to influence customers' purchasing decisions. For example, a price of $9.99 may seem more attractive than one rounded to $10, and a larger container may seem more profitable even though it is actually more expensive than buying two small containers.
In conclusion, supermarkets They employ a wide range of psychological tricks to influence customers' purchasing decisions and encourage spending. Being aware of these strategies can help you make more informed decisions and avoid falling into the traps of supermarket marketing. The next time you go shopping, keep an eye out for these tricks and try to make a shopping list to avoid impulsive purchases and unnecessary expenses.