Do you spend too much money in the grocery store? Do you know that grocery stores spend a lot of time studying shoppers and their habits? I caught a story on the news and thought I would share. It was called Store Tricks. They actually have strategies to get shoppers to buy more than they need.
I am guilty, as I am sure many of you are, of being persuaded to buy things I wouldn't normally buy due to these "store tricks".
I always encourage shoppers to make a list of items NEEDED and stick to your list when shopping. This is the only way to keep from overspending or needless spending. To avoid this, see the list below.
List of "store tricks" to keep in mind when shopping
*Milk, eggs and bread is at the BACK of the store for a reason! How many times do you run in real quick to grab milk and leave with 3 bags full? It's because you have to practically pass everything in the store to get to the milk. "OOOOH those chocolate chip cookies look good", "Wow, this is only $0.79". "Mom can I PLEASE have popcorn chicken" (yes this one is definitely my kids, which leads to my next point).
*Deli is at the FRONT of the store for a reason! You walk in smelling and seeing fried chicken and potato wedges all ready for you to devour......Enough said.....
*Studies show that shoppers who move counter clockwise through the store spend 7% more. Don't know the reasoning.....just don't do it :)
*Some stores actually install SPEEDBUMPS (really?!) to get you to go slower down the isles. This one is hilarious to me. I have always blamed it on crappy carts (maybe it was a both haha).
*Endcaps often display items priced below cost to get you stop and buy the item. I think we all know this one. If you are on a strict grocery budget, it isn't on your list, and you don't NEED it....KEEP WALKING! No matter how good of a buy it is, stick to your list! (Well unless you happen to have a coupon with you for it and it becomes an AWESOME buy.)
*Stores intentionally try to bring you in with their ad items, hoping you will stay and spend more. Again, stick to your list.
*Sodas and cereals are placed at eye level for a reason. You are more likely to buy them when they are staring you in the face saying "Don't I look good?!"
*Staples such as flour and sugar don't have such "standout homes" at the store. Why? Because you are going to buy them anyway. You will get down in the floor and reach all the way to the back of the shelf to find a bag of sugar. (I just did this on my last shopping trip.)
*Expensive salad dressings and salsas are placed in the produce department to make the shopper believe they are fresher or healthier than other brands. Also, if someone is just running in to grab a few things for a salad for dinner, the stores have dressings placed here for those impulse buyers.
*Checkout experience with the whole "you just saved yourself $20" bit. Store loyalty cards tend to give the shopper a sense of accomplishment when maybe you didn't actually save anything. This goes along with the overpricing of items then putting a "sale tag" in front. BUT on your receipt, it shows you saved x-amount.
Again, the key to not overspend in the grocery store.....MAKE A LIST! Before you head to the store, check out your sale papers, make your list of everything you need and STICK TO IT when shopping!
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