Behind the trolleys: Supermarkets' psychological ploys revealed
Supermarkets are designed to encourage customers to make as many purchases as possible. The interior design and layout of the store result from a meticulously developed strategy. An interesting example of this strategy is the functioning of the wheels on trolleys.
Most of us do a large grocery shop at least once a week. We typically intend only to buy the essential items and quickly leave the store. However, in reality, we often exit with a full trolley and a hefty bill. Why does this happen? The answer lies in psychological tricks implemented by supermarkets. What exactly is behind this?
Can shopping be a "test" for a person?
Even before entering the store, you encounter the first tactics. You're greeted by rows of trolleys - often larger than necessary, but the lack of smaller alternatives forces you to use them. Moreover, some trolleys have problems with the wheels – they wobble, lock up, or don't move smoothly. This is not accidental. By moving more slowly between shelves, the store gains from the outset.
A slower pace through the store ensures that more products catch your eye. At the end of each aisle, there are attractive promotional offers, and discounts are particularly tempting. Consequently, the trolley quickly fills up with items not originally on the shopping list simply because they seem like a good deal. Furthermore, a large trolley looks almost empty, encouraging us to add more products.
It's worth paying attention to the details
Have you noticed that supermarkets rarely have windows or clocks? This is deliberately done to keep you inside the store; observing the passing of time could prompt a quicker exit. Another psychological trick is the gentle, relaxing music, which encourages a slower pace and longer stay in the store, making shopping more comfortable.
Also, pay attention to the placement of goods on the shelves. The most expensive and profitable products for the store are at eye level, whereas cheaper items are on the lower shelves, where we rarely look. However, there is one exception.
Expensive sweets are placed lower, so children can easily reach them. Cunning, isn’t it? Such techniques result in us finishing our shopping with many unnecessary products in our bags. Sometimes we even forget what we originally came for and return home without the needed items, forcing us to go shopping again, and the scenario repeats.
