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. This sounds simple on paper, but in the bustling, colorful aisles of a grocery store, that line can get incredibly blurry. Even if food is definitely a necessity, not every single grocery item you get is essential. That artisanal cheese, those pre-cut vegetables, that extra bag of chips—they all add up, turning a planned, budget-friendly trip into an expensive haul.
As a matter of fact, millions of consumers might end up wasting more money and food when making impulse purchases at any grocery store. It’s a modern-day dilemma fueled by clever marketing and our own human psychology. 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. Imagine loading up your cart with 400 pounds of groceries, paying for it, and then driving it directly to the landfill—that’s effectively what’s happening over the course of a year.
That’s no less than $218 billion wasted every year, costing a household of four no less than $1,800 every year. That’s money that could have gone toward a family vacation, paying down debt, or bolstering savings. The impact is staggering, both on our wallets and the environment. It’s true that strategic meal planning and a well-thought-out 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. The answer is: a tremendous amount.
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. Their entire business model is built on understanding consumer behavior better than we understand it ourselves. From the moment you walk in and smell the freshly baked bread (often just a scent pumped through the vents) to the candy-lined checkout lane, every step of your journey is meticulously choreographed. Here are 10 grocery store traps you should watch out for to keep your budget and your sanity intact:
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. It triggers a primal hunter-gatherer instinct. The word “FREE” is arguably the most powerful in marketing, and BOGO is its champion. 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!). You feel like you’re beating the system, getting one over on the big corporation.
However, the truth is, it doesn’t always mean that you really have to buy one to get one free. The real trick lies in the fine print and local regulations. 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 as each item being 50 percent off, not as one being full price and the second one free. This is a crucial distinction that most people miss in their excitement.
Most people buy two items to get the sale price, but you could really buy one and still get it for half off. This is especially important for perishable items like yogurt or bagged salad. Do you really need two? Or will the second one wilt in your fridge, destined for the trash? Buying just one at half price saves you money and prevents waste. Also, we recommend you read the fine print or even ask a store manager to check those deals. A simple question like, “Do I have to buy two?” can save you a lot of money and prevent you from buying things you don’t actually need.
Enticing end caps
End caps, the shelving units that are located at the end of every aisle, are prime real estate in a grocery store. They are generally placed by supermarkets to promote any current sale or new product. Because they’re so visible, our brains are hardwired to notice them and assume what’s displayed there is special. However, experts believe that these perceived deals aren’t always the best thing you can snag in the store. If there’s a big, flashy display at the end of an aisle, we automatically think it’s on sale.
Well, oftentimes, it’s not. Brands pay a hefty premium to have their products featured on an end cap, and that cost is often passed directly to you, the consumer. The store is counting on you grabbing the item out of convenience without comparing it to similar items just a few feet down the aisle. Also, we’d highly recommend you check the sign to find out just how much you will actually save. Sometimes the “sale” is only a few cents off the regular price. Then, you need to compare the deal with similar products from other brands—especially the store’s own brand—to truly assess which price is better. A little legwork can reveal that the “deal” on the end cap is anything but.
Product pairings
This is a classic and incredibly effective marketing tactic also known as “cross-merchandising.” Grocery stores might place related food items right next to each other, like a high-priced, gourmet cheese dip right next to the tortilla chips, or a display of expensive red wine next to the fresh steaks. This way, you will start thinking that one without the other isn’t good enough. They are creating a story for you: “Imagine your movie night, complete with these chips and this delicious dip!”
And that’s how you impulse shop! It plants a seed of desire for something you hadn’t even considered. 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. Other common examples include placing whipped cream and chocolate sauce near the strawberries, or putting expensive croutons and salad dressings right in the produce section next to the lettuce.
Even more, these grocery pairings might deter you from comparing prices among different brands. The conveniently placed dip is right there, so why walk all the way to the dip aisle to see if there’s a cheaper option? After all, they are the only option right in front of you! That’s how you will end up spending more money, not just on an unplanned item, but on a more expensive version of it.
You can easily avoid this trap by simply sticking to your shopping list like it’s your lifeline. It’s your pre-approved plan of action. 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 by taking a walk to the product’s actual aisle and comparing it with the other brands available.
Multiple deals
Promotions like “10 water bottles for $10” or “5 yogurt cups for $5” 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. The big, bold number “10” makes the deal seem substantial and urgent, encouraging you to load up your cart. It creates a sense of scarcity and value that’s hard to resist.
Oftentimes, shoppers just assume they need to buy the total amount to get the special price, which is, in fact, rarely the case. Unless the sign explicitly states “must buy 10,” you can usually buy just one for $1 and get the same unit price. According to shopping experts, just because something is on sale doesn’t actually mean you’re getting the best price. Always check the per-unit price to be sure.
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. The unit price is your best friend for cutting through marketing fluff. 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). It forces you to do mental calculations under pressure.
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 to make it worthwhile. A quick calculation might show that each item is $1.50, which may not be a great deal at all, especially if the regular price is $1.60. Don’t let them trick you with confusing numbers.
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. This prime real estate, often called the “bull’s-eye zone,” is where your eyes naturally land. It’s a trick as old as mine, because you’re more inclined to reach for what’s easiest to see and grab from the prime shelf.
Well, if you didn’t know this, flash news: those products cost more than those found on lower or higher shelves. Brands pay a premium for this placement, and that cost gets passed on to you. Because here’s the deal: They know we’re in a hurry. We want to get in and get out as quickly as possible, and we don’t have time to scan every single shelf from top to bottom.
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. The top shelf (“look up!”) and the bottom shelf (“bend down!”) are often where you’ll find the store brands and lesser-known, more affordable options. A simple squat can save you several dollars on a single item. Also, be aware that items targeted toward children, like sugary cereals, are often placed at *their* eye level to maximize “pester power.”
Fancy displays
The way they display the products can have a major effect on your shopping decisions and also on your perception of value. A well-lit, beautifully arranged display can make an ordinary item seem like a premium, must-have product. It might cause you to spend more on something you don’t even need, simply because the presentation made it feel special.
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. You have the choice of the same type of cheese, like cheddar, in three forms, and each has a different price per pound.
First, there’s the fine cheese case, where you can easily find imported and decadent choices, such as brie and smoked gouda, often cut to order by an employee. This area feels like a specialty shop and carries the highest price tag. Second, you have the pre-packaged blocks and slices in the main dairy aisle. This is your standard, mid-range option. Third, you’ll find bags of pre-shredded cheese nearby, which often have the highest per-unit price due to the added convenience. The same basic product, presented differently, with wildly different costs.
Bigger is better.
We’ve been conditioned to believe that buying in bulk saves money. Consumers automatically assume they might get better value when they buy more. That’s how they often grab the larger “family size” or “value pack” container without comparing prices, trusting that it’s the more economical choice. This isn’t always the case, and stores know we make this assumption.
However, experts would advise shoppers to always check the unit price of the same product in smaller containers from different brands to find the best deal out there. The unit price (price per ounce, per pound, etc.) is usually listed on the shelf tag, though often in tiny print. Take a second to find it. You’ll frequently be surprised to find that the smaller size, or even a two-pack of smaller sizes, is cheaper per unit than the giant container.
In some categories, such as canned foods, spices, or certain condiments, the equipment and volume of smaller cans or jars are way more efficient to produce, so you could find that the per-unit price of a larger size is more expensive. Furthermore, buying bigger isn’t better if you can’t use it all before it expires. That giant jar of pasta sauce is no bargain if half of it grows mold in your fridge.
Gift cards
This is a particularly clever trick because it feels like you’re earning a reward. Some stores might run all kinds of deals with a gift card if you buy certain things from a certain brand. For example: “Buy $30 of Brand X products and receive a $5 gift card.” This way, shoppers are enticed to buy more than they actually need to qualify for something “free.” You might find yourself adding an extra box of crackers or a bottle of soap you don’t need just to hit that $30 threshold.
But in most cases, the deal isn’t worth the while, especially if you’re overspending on grocery items you don’t even need. Let’s do the math: you spend an extra $8 on items to reach the $30 mark, just to get a $5 gift card. You’ve actually lost $3 in the transaction. What you don’t know is that the card is valued less than what you actually would have saved by not getting it. Plus, that gift card ensures you have to come back to that specific store to spend it, where you are likely to spend even more. The store wins twice from this single promotion.
Oversized shopping carts
Have you ever noticed how massive shopping carts have become? It’s not your imagination. Large shopping carts were strategically made to trigger you into buying more. This trick preys on our perception. Well, guess what? The bigger the cart, the less full it will look, which will subconsciously make you feel like you haven’t bought enough and encourage you to keep adding items.
You will end up adding groceries you don’t even need just to make the cart look respectably full. It’s pretty much the same principle with bigger plates, too. Bigger plates lead to bigger portion sizes. Otherwise, it’s like you’re not eating enough. An empty-looking cart can create a subtle anxiety that you’re forgetting something, prompting you to browse more aisles and make more unplanned purchases. The easiest way to combat this? If you’re only running in for a few specific items, grab a handbasket. The physical limitation will force you to stick to your plan.
Next time you go shopping, make sure you have a list with you. This isn’t just a suggestion; it is your single most powerful weapon against these psychological tricks. A list grounds you in your actual needs, acting as a shield against the temptations lurking in every aisle. It will help you fight the impulse of buying more than you need and walk out with your budget intact.
If you found this article useful, we also recommend reading: 7 Super Grocery Chains That Have Loyalty Programs
