When you walk into a store with the intention of buying just a few things, but leave with a full basket and a lighter wallet, you are not alone.Marketers are masters at using different tactics to encourage you to buy more.These methods, often subtle, can lead to you spending more than you originally intended, even on things you didn’t need at all..
How stores make us spend more
Discounts and promotions where you can buy a second product at a lower price are often a lure that is hard to resist.The price per piece may be a bargain, but when you buy more, the final amount at the checkout is higher than if you bought just one product at full price.Before you get tempted by promotions, it is worth thinking about whether you really need the given product in such a quantity.
Graphic design of packaging is another effective weapon of marketers.Big letters and eye-catching pictures can easily confuse us.Products that look like butter or chocolate may actually be substitutes for them.Therefore, it is important to read the composition of the product and not to be tempted only by the external appearance.
In the case of fruit, meat or fish, many customers do not notice that the price per 100 grams, not per kilogram, is indicated in capital letters.This trick often leads to unpleasant surprises at the checkout when the amount on the receipt differs from expectations.Therefore, always check what the price is per unit, not for the entire package.
The arrangement of goods on the shelves is also not random.The most expensive products or those that the store needs to sell as quickly as possible are often placed at eye level.People instinctively reach for the products that are most readily available.However, you can find better and cheaper alternatives on the lower or higher shelves.That’s why it’s worth going through the entire shelf and comparing the options.
Don’t forget the products placed at the cash registers either.While waiting in line, we are more inclined to add something extra to our basket – be it a chocolate bar, gum or drink.Even if these little things look innocent, they can add a few more euros to the bill.
Stores are also changing the types of shopping baskets to encourage you to buy more.Small baskets that you could hold in your hand often replaced larger carts.Because they have more space, it’s easier to add more items, even if you weren’t originally planning to buy them.
At the same time, the longer you stay in a store, the more you’re likely to spend.The shops try to make you spend as much time there as possible, for example with pleasant music, the smell of fresh baked goods or various tastings.
These tactics are well-thought-out and effective, but being aware of their existence can help you keep your purchases under control.Be prudent to avoid unnecessary spending and keep your purchases within your planned budget.
