How Your Senses Cost You Money

Smell: Have you ever noticed that when you walk into a grocery store, the bakery is usually located directly beside the entrance? There is a very good reason for this. The store wants you to smell the fresh-baked goods the minute you enter the store. They know from studies that the aroma of food will make you feel hungry and that those who shop while they're hungry spend more money.

Sound: When you walk into a store, rarely will it be silent. There will be some type of background music that will put you in the mood to shop more. The music selections may even contain subliminal messages, and some stores will make announcements about certain sale items to draw your attention to them. The stores create a sound pattern that entices you to spend more.

Touch: Stores would sell a lot less merchandise if you couldn't touch it. Stores have display items for this specific reason. Sit down in a massage chair and you'll swear that you need one even though the thought of purchasing such a chair never crossed your mind until that moment you sat in it. Stores want you to touch and feel the products because they know if you do, you are more likely to buy them.

Taste: There is a very specific reason why stores are willing to give out food samples as you walk down their aisles. They know that if you taste a product, you are more likely to purchase it. In addition, a small bit of food can whet your appetite, prompting you to feel hungry. As stated before, studies show that those who are hungry while shopping will end up spending more inside the store.

Stores spend a lot of time and money analyzing how they can tap into all of your senses every time you enter the door. While there is nothing you can do to shut off your senses, knowing that these manipulations are taking place can go a long way toward helping you defeat their intended purpose. The next time you walk into a store, keep the above information in mind and see how pervasive the tactics are. You may be surprised at how thoroughly stores target your senses to earn more.