Ever wondered why you end up buying more than you planned during a shopping trip? Uncover the subtle psychological tactics employed by retailers to nudge your purchasing decisions and learn how to shop smarter, not harder.
Retailers use psychological persuasion to influence your decisions
Changing the location of items in a store means that we, the customers, are exposed to different items as we wander around searching for the things we need or want
- This can significantly increase unplanned spending, as we add additional items to our baskets – often on impulse – while spending more time in the shop.
Retailers can help
By increasing the availability and promotions of healthier food options, and making them more visible through positioning and clever use of signage, shoppers can be encouraged to make better choices.
- The key to resisting goods we don’t want, or need – and making healthy decisions – lies with us.
Buying on impulse
Studies suggest that as much as 50% of all groceries are sold because of impulsiveness
- 87% of shoppers make impulse buys
- External shopping cues such as discounts and in-store promotional displays play a key role
- Bundling is another technique that retailers use to trigger impulse buying
- Complementary products are packaged together as one product with one price
Shopping can be friend or foe
While these strategies can help to swell the profits of retailers, they can also contribute to problems for their customers
- Impulse buying can undoubtedly affect a consumer’s mental wellbeing
- Online shopping has been found to give a dopamine boost, which is released into our brains when we anticipate pleasure
- On the flip side of the coin, shopping can help restore a person’s sense of control
