Combatting Marketing Tactics
The science of retail marketing has a big head start on us
lowly shoppers. Marketers have figured
out just how to push our buttons, enticing us to buy what we don't need, what
is not healthy for us, and what is cheaper elsewhere.
Here are just a few of the tactics marketers use to entice us to stick around and buy more: - Free coffee to make us feel at home so we'll stay longer - Pleasant, soothing background music - Prominent, carefully crafted displays meant to entice us to buy an item we did not intend to buy (impulse buy) - The placement of higher-priced items at eye level - In-store pharmacies which encourage you to shop while you wait for your medicines - The subtle lure of 'always low' prices (not 'always the lowest') - Capitalizing on your perceived lack of time (preparing it for you) Related article: The Psychology Behind Grocery Store Design What You Can Do You can successfully avoid the traps stores set for you by changing your behavior. Here are five major things you can do: 1. Avoid impulse buys An impulse buy is one which involves buying an item that is not on your carefully-crafted shopping list. Impulse buys almost always occur because you are hungry, tired, or in a hurry. Factoid: Studies have shown that once you pick an item up, the chance of buying it significantly increases. Combat the impulse-buy trap by eating before you shop (or by taking something along to munch on) and by shopping only when you are rested and you have time to evaluate your purchases. Tip: Don't deprive yourself to the point of resenting your shopping plan. Treat yourself and your family to unexpected purchases every so often. 2. Know your prices Unplanned purchases can also be triggered by the perception that the price of the item is too low to pass up. This trick can be beaten by carrying a list of the items you buy most often and their lowest everyday prices. 3. Get in and get out Get in and out of the store as fast as possible and only visit the aisles you need to visit in order to get what is on your shopping list. Yes, the store is pretty, but you aren't there to admire the store - your intent is to save money! 4. Organize your shopping list Arrange your shopping list by aisle or section and skip the areas not on your list. You should be completely familiar with the layout of the store and with what is on sale before you enter the store. Tip: Use an automated shopping list like the one featured on the Essential Spreadsheets page to create an organized list. 5. Don't pay for someone to cook for you Prepare your own desserts and make your meals from scratch or as near as possible. Ask your family members to help you. NEXT: Your Home Inventory |
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