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What are some psychological tricks that supermarkets use to get customers to buy more? Answered by Ariel Dreyfus, studied Business Administration

CLOCKS: Many methods for marketing include avoiding placing clocks or any digital displays which can give shoppers a sense of time. The goal is to never put clocks in stores because customers will lose track of other responsibilities and continue to shop for hours when their intention may have been 15 minutes had there been a few analog clocks throughout the store.

Grocery Carts: Have you ever noticed how much larger grocery carts have become over the years? They have almost doubled in size compared to my grandparents time. The larger the buggy the more you will buy unconsciously whether or not you want to.

Placement: This one is very sneaky. Marketing specialists will put an expensive item (A) Ben and Jerry’s beside an item that is more expensive (B) Hageen Däs to make item (A) Ben and Jerrys seem reasonable. The entire purpose of item (B) Hageen Däs is to sell item (A) Ben and Jerrys. This isn’t just used in grocery stores but department stores.

Have you ever looked at the arrangement of food in a grocery store? It is designed to make you spend more money. The top shelf of a candy aisle will have the options that the older generation leans towards, such as dark chocolate, because adults are taller than adolescents. The candy a bit lower is meant to hit the eye level of the preteens so their fan favorites according to demographic will be slightly lower.

Did you know you are being watched? It’s easy to tell that you are being watched constantly with the countless security cameras set up in every corner, but companies like Target actually hire people to follow around shoppers and see what items they pick up, and pay attention to their shopping habits. Creepy isn’t it?

Are you happy that TJ Maxx took back your shirt and gave you a store credit even though you lost your receipt? This is probably because they know you will spend more than what’s on your store credit shopping there anyway, that is if you even use it. Thousands of dollars of rebates and store credits go unredeemed, expire or are lost annually by customers which makes the company money.

Atmosphere: Many shops are accustomed to playing slow music. Slower music encourages shoppers to slowly walk, instead of rushing, which leaves more time to spend more of your money.

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