JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Did you know there are secret techniques grocery stores use to keep your basket full? It's true!
We've all gone to the grocery store to pick up a few items, only to return home with a trunk full of groceries we didn't really need. So how do you beat the supermarkets at their own game? You need to know what to avoid.
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Scientists say 80 percent of our decisions are governed by our subconscious, and marketers are well aware! Ever wonder why baked goods tend to greet you at the door? The aroma can make you feel hungry, tempting you to buy more.
Jacksonville shopper Tiffany Woodall knows this all too well. She says she can smell the bakery when she walks in the door.
"I love that smell and I'm so taken in. Sometimes we have to get stuff over there and you buy more than you meant to," she admits.
Same thing happens when you go to buy the staples like milk, eggs and bread. They're not usually in the same spot, and it's for a reason. Experts say the more aisles you visit, the more you're likely to buy, something Woodall says happens to her.
"I tend to buy a lot more than I go in to buy," she said.
If you're in a hurry, you will likely also spend more. Expensive items are typically placed at eye-level so you're more likely to grab them on the go. This is why you need to make a grocery list and stick to it. Plus, don't shop when you're hungry and when you can, carry a smaller hand held basket instead of pushing a cart.
Color also plays a role in how much you buy. Ever wondered why Crest is in a blue box? Marketers often use blue to target budget-conscious consumers who associate the color with trust and stability. The color red can spur impulse buying and on a crowded supermarket shelf, purple products look like the highest quality. The color is often tied to luxury and richness.