Dubai, United Arab Emirates – Experts from the Witch Foundation, a British consumer protection organization, revealed why shoppers should avoid purchasing products placed at eye level in stores.
Experts said that some people shop the wrong way as they are fooled by the “tricks” of supermarkets. Consequently, they buy products displayed on the front shelves and at eye level.
They explained that products placed at eye level are often attractive. However, they are more expensive than products stored in less visible or difficult-to-access places.
“The most expensive brands are often placed at eye level. Meanwhile, the cheapest products are placed on the lower shelves,” the foundation said.
The organization advises taking a look at the products placed on the bottom shelves. They are sometimes the cheapest and of the best quality. It was explained that the products of major brands are not always the best.
Clever tricks
A report by the British newspaper “Daily Mail” stated that some major stores use smart tricks to push consumers to spend their money. The most prominent of these tricks is the strategic arrangement of products on shelves. This strategy is known as the shelf plan.
“A chart is defined as a model or graph that shows how products are arranged on shelves to maximize sales,” explained Professor Graham Kendall, professor of operations research at the University of Nottingham, in an article published on The Conversation.
He added that a commonly used phrase in these charts is: “Eye level is purchase level”.
“Products placed at eye level tend to sell better,” he explained.
He continued: “You may find that the most expensive options are placed at eye level or slightly below it. Meanwhile, store tags are placed in places above or below the shelves”.
How to avoid these tricks
To avoid falling into this trap, the Witch Foundation advises writing an advance purchase list and sticking to it.
She explained that some stores use other tricks to push shoppers to spend. These include placing basic products, such as milk and eggs, in the back of the store. Sometimes they are placed in places far apart from each other.
The same organization indicated that stores try to lure shoppers with attractive signs. They do so with offers at the end of the aisles and attractive seasonal offers.
