About the Illusion of Free Will

[Guest guest]

Some specifics I came across, dealing with how you are manipulated.

 

This is but the iceberg's tip.

 

Grocery Store Tricks So You'll Buy More

 

 

You're running into the grocery store to pick up a gallon of milk and

cereal for tomorrow's breakfast, but beware! Your friendly neighborhood

grocer has other plans for you.

 

The quest to make you buy more than you intended is all about psychology

and strategy--and it's not likely that this fits in well with your

nutrition and weight loss goals. WebMD calls it the " grocery store head

game. " And you're the primary player--like it or not.

 

What is this head game? You're making your dash for that gallon of milk,

but blocking your way to the dairy case is a large display of

macaroni-and-cheese. Or cake mixes. Or raisins stacked like a Christmas

tree. Or a coupon-dispenser with a flashing light. Or a nice lady doling

out free samples that smell really good. Do you grab anything besides milk

and put it in your cart? If so, you just played the game.

 

The problem--besides the effect it has on your wallet--is the effect it

has on your weight. You're buying food you don't really want and probably

don't need. How does the grocer DO this? What is the psychology and

strategy behind it all?

 

" Some research says that as much as 85 percent of purchasing decisions are

made in the aisle while a consumer is looking at a product, " Michael

Schiller, executive vice president and research director at Data for

Decisions in Marketing, a consulting group based in Fairlawn, Ohio, told

WebMD. " The decision criteria to buy, or not to buy, will vary widely from

shopper to shopper, but in-store merchandising definitely has a big impact

on consumers' choices. "

 

Schiller has identified four basic shopping " behaviors " that influence

what and how much we buy not only in the grocery store, but also in other

stores:

 

Passing Behavior

You walk into a store. Your eyes sweep around, looking at everything but

not focusing on a specific item. Yet.

 

 

Looking Behavior

You see a product display and turn your head to look at it--even if the

item isn't on your grocery list.

 

 

Shopping Behavior

You stop to look at the product. You take it off the shelf and examine it

more closely, perhaps even reading information on the package. You

consider buying it.

 

 

Selection Behavior

For retailers, this is the big moment! You make your decision to buy--or

not. The item gets dropped into your cart or placed back on the shelf.

 

 

What can you do if you don't want to play this grocery store head game?

First, realize this: At one time or another, we all run into the store

just to get milk. And in every grocery store, the milk is located at the

back forcing you to walk past all those tempting displays.

 

WebMD insists that you can do a lot to pass those items and keep from

making impulse purchases:

 

* Go to the grocery with list of what you plan to get. And then buy

what's on the list and nothing else.

* Never ever go to the grocery store when you're hungry.

 

--Cathryn Conroy

 

 

" If it's all for the best, what do the rest of us get? "

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

We discussed this at great lengths when I worked in

the Merchandising Dept. at McCoy's Corporation.

 

It goes with all stores, not just grocery. The real

money is in impetuous shopping. That's why end

capping is so profitable. We would literally have

dozens of meetings about perfect product placement.

We teamed up with the advertising dept and made a

video on how to make a successful end cap. Had it

sent to all the managers at the various stores

nationwide. And this is just the " ma & pa " of

building supply stores. I can only imagine what

Walmart does. Bored me to tears, I didn't last long

at that job.

Warmly,

Allison

 

--- The Stewarts <stews9 wrote:

> Some specifics I came across, dealing with how you

> are manipulated.

>

> This is but the iceberg's tip.

>

> Grocery Store Tricks So You'll Buy More

>

 

 

 

 

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