Factors Affecting Food Selection in a Grocery Store
Writing assignment: Pick a grocery store, and take notes on how the store is set up, and what factors you see affecting common food selections by the public.
When I first step into Safeway, the smell of fresh, spicy soup washes over me in waves from the soup stand, and on my left is a Starbucks, which has an enthralling aroma of its own. These impulse items, including flowers, candy, and snacks, are strategically placed at the front of a store and at the checkout. Seasonal items are also located near the entrance of a store.
In nearly every grocery store I visit, the milk, eggs, and dairy products are located at the back of the store. I never wondered why. I never even thought twice about it. But since I observed this, it makes sense. These items are on most shopping lists, but in order to find them, one must pass through the remainder of the store. Even if you only came for a gallon of milk, there is always the temptation to pick up an item you never intended to by as you work your way to the rear of the store. The bakery’s location is also not random. It is intentionally placed next to the milk and dairy products to lure you with the delicious smell of freshly baked cookies. Because, of course, we all know that chocolate chip cookies go very well with milk.
Many times, the tactics of grocery stores appeal to the frugality of shoppers. A store may have a “Discount Tuesday” offer in which certain items are sold at reduced prices. Let’s admit it, we’ve all gotten excited to hear about sales and “buy one get one free” offers, because it appeals to our thriftiness. Shoppers love saving money. It is important to remember that just because an item is on sale, it doesn’t mean it is a good sale.
And then there are the unattractive clearance sections tucked away at the rear of a store. While the pricier items are shiny and colorfully advertised, the goods in the clearance area are dusty, dented, and dull. Not really something that triggers impulse buying, does
When I first step into Safeway, the smell of fresh, spicy soup washes over me in waves from the soup stand, and on my left is a Starbucks, which has an enthralling aroma of its own. These impulse items, including flowers, candy, and snacks, are strategically placed at the front of a store and at the checkout. Seasonal items are also located near the entrance of a store.
In nearly every grocery store I visit, the milk, eggs, and dairy products are located at the back of the store. I never wondered why. I never even thought twice about it. But since I observed this, it makes sense. These items are on most shopping lists, but in order to find them, one must pass through the remainder of the store. Even if you only came for a gallon of milk, there is always the temptation to pick up an item you never intended to by as you work your way to the rear of the store. The bakery’s location is also not random. It is intentionally placed next to the milk and dairy products to lure you with the delicious smell of freshly baked cookies. Because, of course, we all know that chocolate chip cookies go very well with milk.
Many times, the tactics of grocery stores appeal to the frugality of shoppers. A store may have a “Discount Tuesday” offer in which certain items are sold at reduced prices. Let’s admit it, we’ve all gotten excited to hear about sales and “buy one get one free” offers, because it appeals to our thriftiness. Shoppers love saving money. It is important to remember that just because an item is on sale, it doesn’t mean it is a good sale.
And then there are the unattractive clearance sections tucked away at the rear of a store. While the pricier items are shiny and colorfully advertised, the goods in the clearance area are dusty, dented, and dull. Not really something that triggers impulse buying, does