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The Psychology Behind A Grocery Store

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Many people do not realize the amount of research that goes into product placement in grocery stores. Marketing directors and corporate managers come together to determine what will go in which aisle and how high up on the shelves certain things will be. Buying is also controlled by what samples are being offered in the store. Researchers majorly determine the consumers buying experience; even to details as minute as the music that’s playing in the store. Though it seems scary to recognize that you’re grocery-shopping experience is somewhat predetermined before you walk in the store, (change that), the research and psychology behind grocery stores essentially makes it easier to navigate and shop. Additionally, the samples offered in the store …show more content…

The author writes about how sensory departments, the bakery, produce, and flouriest, are at the front of the store to engage a shoppers “salivary glands through sight, smell, and taste, which entice them to spend money on things that weren’t necessarily on their list” (“Psychology Behind Grocery Stores”). This article also explains the psychology behind the shelving in grocery stores. The bottom shelves are for bulk items and generic brands, the author states that “savvy shoppers will search for a deal” so prime shelf space is not wasted these items which usually have a smaller margin of profit (citation?). However, the profit margin and high selling brands are in the direct line of sight of the consumer, whether that be children or adults. Marion Nestle agrees with these claims in her article, “The Supermarket: Prime Real Estate.” Nestle goes on to explain further how grocery stores entrap costumers into spending more time in the store by putting common items in the back of the store, and making aisles long enough to store a large array of items, but not too long that a shopper is aggravated with how long they’ve been in one aisle. Nestle is critical of supermarkets and their affect on consumers eating behaviors, and she goes on to argue that …show more content…

In general, stores put more sugary and kid enticing foods on the lower shelves; right is the line of sight of children. Due to this, children are able to easily throw their hand out and pickup an unhealthy but tasty food item and consequently beg their guardian for the snack. In most cases, children throw temper tantrums when they do not get their way, and guardians usually end up succumbing to the tantrum in order to silence the child. This is an example of an effective way that grocery stores affect shopping in negative and unhealthy ways. Another example is the rows of candy and gum at the register. Usually consumers do not go into supermarkets with the intention of buying candy; however, when they’re waiting in line to checkout and the candy bars are right there, one may get a craving and impulse buy the candy. Additionally, the way the content of the aisles are arranged is intended to keep you in the store longer. Normally, supermarkets place milk, eggs, and other dairy items at the very end of the store (Nestle 497). These are items that most people are purchasing when they go to the grocery store, so consumers have to walk past every aisle in the store to get to what they intend to buy. Supermarkets put enticing snacks, such as Oreos or holiday treats, on the ends of

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