Being a supermarket manager for a long time taught me techniques that I am willing to share with you now that I am retired. The consumer is much smarter and value conscious with modern day technology. However, some tricks of the trade can be so good that you do not realize the store drained your wallet just a little more without your knowledge. After reading this you will not be fooled as easily.
Every store has a display sales plan to create maximum profit and increase register rings. That plan most always includes the sale items for a couple reasons. First is to ring up more sales. A second and even bigger reason is avoiding negative publicity or even lawsuits because of not backing the ads. Consumers are really looking for bargains now. A store must maintain in stock conditions on advertised specials and displays help solve that problem.
Tie-in Shelves Bring in Money
What to watch out for on those sale displays is a tie-in shelf or even two. These will be at eye level, which has been proven to be where most people grab items. Shoppers assume because this is part of a huge display that the tie-in shelf also displays sale merchandise. In some cases that is true, but don’t be fooled into thinking that the drinks are a good sale so the chips on that extra shelf must be also.
Watch for Trick Pricing
Trick pricing is also something to be aware of. Stores do well with 10 for $10.00 pricing. Some of those items are a real bargain. But beware; you may see 10/10 national brand animal crackers that we raised the price up from 97 cents for that sale. You could get a huge bag of that in the house brand on the shelf for about the same price. The tie-in shelves also are like magnets that attach product to your children’s hands by design.
Beware of Cross Merchandising
Cross merchandising in another trick that can fool you. The bananas may have vanilla wafers displayed next to them. That three dollar box of wafers may have a sign that looks like a good sale. Check the shelf where the wafers are and you might find a real bargain there on another brand at one dollar that is really a good deal. Buns are displayed with the hot dogs. Chocolate syrup is arranged in a rack on the freezer door with the ice cream. The list goes on.
Today’s fast paced world makes it easy to let the supermarkets trick you into spending more. Making banana pudding or putting chocolate syrup on your ice cream might be a great idea you were given. Just swing back by the aisles where those items are and you might spend a whole lot less for a different brand. And don’t get mad at your supermarket manager for trying to trick you. Maybe he is just trying to get a bonus so one day he can retire and pursue his passion of writing.
