8 Things Stores Don't Want You to Know

Having worked as an executive for a retail operation, I know of all the tricks retailers can play to get you to buy more stuff. Heck, I was the MARKETING vice president of the company, it was my job to play tricks to get people to buy more! But we won't dwell on my dark past.

Here's a piece that lists the eight things stores don't want you to know. Read, learn, and remember -- these could save you a bundle:

1. Music makes you buy more. Stores boost sales by adjusting the tempo of the music they play. Research has determined that people buy more when listening to slow ballads.

2. The sweet smell of success. Studies show that customers in shops filled with soothing fragrances, such as vanilla or lavender, browse longer and buy more.

3. The color of money. Colors speak a definite language.

4. Location, location, location. Research shows that items at eye level outsell goods on other shelves by as much as three to one.

5. The price is right. Ever notice how many items are priced at $10.99, $15.99 and $20.99? Nine is the most popular final digit on products because, according to researchers, it makes people feel they're getting a bargain.

6. The power of touch. Placing everything from sweaters to bed linens on displays that consumers can touch increases store sales. That's because people like to feel fabrics before they buy them.

7. Getting personal. Each year, 78 percent of us cash in coupons. The newest twist: personalized product pitches.

8. The shopping-cart strategy. Carts are no longer just for grocery or discount stores. Studies show that shoppers buy more at other retail outlets when they have a cart than when they don't. Retailers such as Sears and Old Navy are now making carts available in some of their stores. And beware the size of shopping carts: The larger the cart, the more goodies we're likely to put in it.

This is Retailing 101 -- just the basics. But the basics account for most of the impact a retailer can have on you. And if they get you to buy just one more item, it's worth it to them to make an extra effort and put these tasks to work. Be aware of them as you shop so you buy only the items you want -- not the items they want to sell you.

Comments

[Mike]

I am not sure if it just me, since always am hot, but I can never understand why stores in the winter generally have the heat a lot higher than it should be. Everyone in the store is dressed for winter weather, often still with their jackets on, yet the temperature in the store is in the high 70's. If everyone shopping in the store is essentially dressed to be outside, doesn't it make more sense to lower the heat? That is the number 1 reason why I don't spend more time looking around in a store...then again, that actually might be a good thing

[Will Corry]

Great article. I would like to use it in the www.themarketingblog.co.uk
and in www.trinityenews.com

Is that OK by you?

Will Corry

[FMF]

Sure, Will. Anyone can use anything on this blog as long as they give credit to Free Money Finance as the source and link back to it. Thanks for asking.