Beware of These 9 Tricks Grocery Stores Are Known For!
When it comes to budgeting, it’s super important to distinguish between what you need and what you want. Even if food is definitely a necessity, not every single grocery item you get is essential.
As a matter of fact, millions of consumers might end up wasting more money and food when making impulse purchases at any grocery store. According to a 2017 report from the Natural Resources Defense Council, probably the largest and most well-funded environmental activist organization in America, we throw away over 400 pounds of food per person every year.
That’s no less than $218 billion wasted every year, costing a household of four no less than $1,800 every year. It’s true that strategic meal planning and a well-taught shopping list will do the trick (and God knows we will talk about those on our website!), but you might wonder just how much influence a retailer can actually have on your buying decisions.
Most grocery stores rely on your impulse purchases to scale up the sales, and yes, they will do WHATEVER it takes to get you to buy more than initially planned. Here are 10 grocery store traps you should watch out for:
Beware of BOGOs.
BOGO stands for “buy one, get one.” So yes, we all know BOGO. Oho, we know BOGO is really good! Let’s be honest: when do we see a BOGO? Our minds go crazy. Shoppers get into this understandable frenzy, believing they’re scoring a free product with purchase (look at me, talking in third person like it doesn’t happen to me every day!)
However, the truth is, it doesn’t always mean that you really have to buy one to get one. There are many stores where BOGO can be switched for 50 percent off. In most cases, especially in the Midwest area, BOGO deals ring up 50 percent off, not get one extra.
Most people buy two items to get the sale price, but you could really buy one and still get it for half off. Also, we recommend you read the fine print or even ask a store manager to check those deals.
Enticing end caps
End caps, the shelving units that are located at the end of every aisle, are generally placed by supermarkets to promote any current sale. However, experts believe that these perceived deals aren’t always the best thing you can snag in the store. If there’s a big display at the end of an aisle, we automatically think it’s on sale.
Well, oftentimes, it’s not. Also, we’d highly recommend you check the sign to find out just how much you will actually save. Then, you need to compare the deal with similar products from other brands to truly assess which price is better.
Product pairings
Grocery stores might place related food items right next to each other, like a high-priced cheese dip right next to tortilla chips. This way, you will start thinking that one without the other isn’t good enough.
And that’s how you impulse shop! That’s why, if you were planning to buy chips and you noticed a dip next to the bag, you could feel tempted to add it to your cart even if it wasn’t on your list.
Even more, these grocery pairings might deter you from comparing prices among different brands. After all, they are the only option! That’s how you will end up spending more money.
You can easily avoid this trap by simply sticking to your shopping list. If you simply can’t shake the urge to pick up that tempting pairing, at least make sure that you’re paying the best price.
Multiple deals
Promotions like 10 water bottles or yogurt cups for $10 will definitely convince you to buy more than you actually need, even if you can generally get the same sale price if you just buy less.
Oftentimes, shoppers just assume they need to buy the total amount, which is, in fact, rarely the case. According to shopping experts, just because something is on sale doesn’t actually mean you’re getting the best price.
You can take a moment to look at the unit price, just to make sure it’s really worth buying more of that item than you initially planned. There are other deals, too, like five for $7.50, meant to confuse you, especially if math isn’t your strongest point (mine definitely isn’t).
Breaking down the price per unit might not come as fast when you’re in a hurry, but using your smartphone’s calculator to see if the sale is actually worth the time will save you enough money.
Strategically placed products at eye level
Grocery stores have figured out just how to capitalize on your shopping habits and place even more expensive products at your eye level. It’s a trick as old as mine, because you’re more inclined to reach the prime shelf.
Well, if you didn’t know this, flash news: those products cost more than those found on lower or higher shelves. Because here’s the deal: They know we’re in a hurry.
And they milk it with every chance they have! So, if you’re looking for the best price out there, make sure you also check the other shelves.
Fancy displays
The way they display the products can have a major effect on your shopping decisions and also on your perception of value. It might cause you to spend more on something you don’t even need.
Oftentimes, prices for the same product might drastically vary depending on where you find it. For instance, let’s take cheese. It is believed that there are three different locations in the supermarket where you can buy it at completely different prices.
The fine cheese case, where you can easily find imported and decadent choices, such as brie and smoked gouda
Bigger is better.
Consumers automatically assume they might get better value when they buy more. That’s how they often grab the larger container without comparing prices.
However, experts would advise shoppers to check the unit price of the same product in smaller containers from different brands to find the best deal out there.
In some categories, such as canned foods, the equipment and volume of smaller cans are way more efficient, so you could find that the per-unit price of a larger size is more expensive.
Gift cards
Some stores might run all kinds of deals with a gift card if you buy certain things from a certain brand. This way, shoppers are enticed to buy more than they actually need to qualify for something “free.”
But in most cases, the deal isn’t worth the while, especially if you’re overspending on a grocery store you don’t even need. In most cases, you might buy extra just to hit the amount you need for that gift card. What you don’t know is that the card is valued less than you actually would have saved by not getting it.
Oversized shopping carts
Large shopping carts were strategically made to trigger you into buying more. Well, guess what? The bigger the cart, the less full it will look, which will make you buy more.
You will end up adding groceries you don’t even need. It’s pretty much the same principle with bigger plates, too. bigger plates, bigger sizes. Otherwise, it’s like you’re not eating enough.
Next time you go shopping, make sure you have a list with you. It will help you fight the impulse of buying more than you need.
If you found this article useful, we also recommend reading: 7 Super Grocery Chains That Have Loyalty Programs
