When a shopper steps into a retail shop, there are many attractions displayed in a seemingly random manner, which usually attract the attention of the shopper. Although it appears random, many experts believe stores do have a science behind everything that they plan. The science is aimed at promoting impulsive buying and therefore making the shopper buy more than they have originally planned to buy. Let us take a look at some of these shopping secrets the stores don’t want the shoppers to know.
-Placing the ‘clearance’ area at the back
Ever wondered why the ‘clearance’ area where most of the discounted items and bargains are being displayed, is at the back of the store. The reason is that the shopper who wants to see the bargains has to go through a path which is full of branded and expensive items which are arranged or organized neatly to attract the impulsive buyer. Thus, by the time he or she reaches the clearance area, they may not have time to go through the bargains or else have money to even buy the bargain items.
-Messy clearance areas
At the same time, most clearance areas in stores are not organized properly and the items are mixed together in the racks or in a big box. This makes it harder to pick a specific size or a color and would make the time strapped and impulsive shopper to look the other way and choose from the neatly arranged and attractive non-sale items.
-The BOGOs
Another secret that the stores do not want its shoppers to know is the concept of ‘buy one get one free’ (BOGOs). In this, the stores tempt the unaccustomed shoppers into buying multiple items of the same make which would be priced slightly lesser than the average price of the items usual price. Unless someone is familiar with the usual prices of the store, they will think it is a bargain and go for the BOGOs. Thus, unless the item is worthwhile when taken in multiples and saves a significant amount of money, one should avoid such BOGOs.
-Right side rule
In most stores, the right side of the store is made much more attractive by various means such as by placing elegant designer wear, colorful signboards, as well as playing music. The science behind such moves is that researchers have uncovered the shoppers are more likely to turn right when they enter the store. As a result, the pricy items and the advertisements are more likely to be on the right side of the store as one enters or on the right side of the shoppers’ path.
-Hiding the origins
Lastly, most shops do not reveal where the items originated, especially when they are produced in cheap labor markets such as in the third world. This means, the ‘made in’ tag will not show and the washing instructions will be added in English or in another language. However, some shops make it a point to mention the make and the place as a policy.
Thus, it is understandable that the stores do everything in their power to attract the impulsive shopper to buy more items and spend more than what they have planned. Therefore, having a shopping list and sticking to the same should be the primary policy of all shoppers if they don’t want to get caught.