* Supermarkets spend to get you buying more
    * Shape of trolleys, layouts all strategic
    * Milk and bread often at the back of store

YOU may only be popping in for some bread and milk, but be warned - supermarkets are spending millions trying to get you to part with many more of your dollars.

Everything from free tasting stations to the size of the trolleys and the background music is geared towards getting you to buy up.

"It's true, only smart shoppers survive the weekly supermarket challenge unscathed," warns founder of budgeting site www.cheapskates.com.au Cath Armstrong.

"Canny shoppers know that supermarkets are after their money and will employ any trick conceivable to get them to part with their cash."

Armstrong says some of the strategies employed include changing the shape of trolleys to make them shallower, wider and a little larger to give the impression you haven't bought everything, changing store layouts regularly to expose you to new items, and putting brand name items at eye level.


"Don't be fooled into thinking this is to make it easy for you to find what you want," she says.

"It's done so you can only see one or two brands and subconsciously think there are no other options, so you to buy the branded and often more expensive product."

Consumer group Choice says supermarkets spend millions researching customer habits to develop these tactics.

Other tricks include placing things such as milk and bread at the very back of the store, often a long way apart, to get shoppers to walk right through, and placing products that go well together, such as coffee and biscuits side by side to entice you to buy both.

Choice also says the end-of-aisle displays are often the most profitable area for product manufacturers, who pay a premium to have their product placed there.

Founder of budgeting website savingsguide.com.au Alex Wilson says even the background music often easy listening hits that make you want to sing along is aimed at increasing your chances of impulse buying.

He says shoppers should be wary of popular multi-buy promotions as the original prices are sometimes inflated to account for the free item.

Wilson also warns against the taste-testing booths in supermarkets, where many shoppers can often feel compelled to buy something because they've tried it for free.

How to avoid overspending

* Take a list - people who shop with a list tend to spend less.

* Use unit pricing to compare value for money, as buying in bulk is not necessarily always the cheapest option.

* Shop alone - people who shop as a couple tend to put more in their trolley

* Avoid big supermarkets if you just want to pick up a few things - you're better off in a small store.

* Don't shop when you're hungry - it's a sure-fire way to end up with a trolley full of unnecessary purchases.







Comments on this story

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     Jason 4006 of Brisbane Posted at 12:51 AM October 20, 2010

         I have a good shopping tip... Avoid shopping with kids as they will use pester power which is far stronger than the supermarkets own best weapon.

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     Bill Smith Posted at 8:06 PM October 19, 2010

         I do take a list with me for my shopping and I do appreciate outlets like Coles who keep a check on stock not getting old. However changing the shop layouts as far as I am concerned will make it harder on staff, as everyone wants to know where their favourite item has gone to. And as for the music at the Plaza it is so horrendous I just rush out of the store at first opportunity.

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     shop savvy Posted at 4:43 PM October 19, 2010

         shop online- you save heaps as there is no impulse buying.

I feel sorry for people, mostly City-orientated people, who have to rely upon Woolworths and Coles, etc.
The inflated prices (I worked at Inghams Processing in Hoxton Park once in the 'labelling' section: The same chicken was coming out, but with different packaging and labels ...the Woolworth's were $2 dearer)

People in the country and Rural areas have the opportunity to get quality 'local' foods, rather than 'imported' crap like the Supermarkets offer up.
Would you believe it is so hard to find canned Fish that isn't associated with Thailand in some way! Think of the Fish and Chips Shops that sold Mekong BASA for years ...this is the Catfish that the Vietnamese fed by toileting "plop plop".
I only get my fish from down the lower Illawarra or Sapphire Coasts, if I don't spear my own. My meat I get from Narellan Bulk Butcher as it is from local farmers direct or I head down Dalgety for a good serving.
I have a respect for Kangaroo meat quality (nil fat) too, although it is extremely hard to cook - as at least I know it ain't "imported".

Agree Imperium - some do while others are far cheaper.
Guess you gotta know your rip-off Corner store that relies upon its proximity to overcharge locals for being too lazy to go further. The so-called 'General Store' that has all you need from margarine to a plunger is very expensive at almost 200% profit. Like I said, they rely upon the laziness of the locals to pay for that. These stores tend to be somewhere in-between a Mall or CBD.
There are the Boutique Shops that are also pricey as are the Specialist Shops.
...but if you look around, there is always shops that sell below the average and they tend to go upon 'word of mouth' more than other advertisements.
So I suggest the Bulk Butchers at Narellan (near the Salvos/Toy shop) and that Farmer on DeepFields Rd in Austral for good meat and prices.
Keep your eyes out along The Northern Road as every now and then a Stall pops up selling good food for good prices, as does Mamre Rd. I'm sure there are other roads that do the same but they are very unpredictable.
I remember when I bought my wife's engagement ring at $10,000 during a 60% off, because we knew that the Macarthur Square owners were inflating their 'Rent/Leases' considerably during that tough economic period, so 'all' the Jewellers were having to sell at a less inflated price in order to get a mass selling of stock, etc. I think it was a boom period of relationships in the South-West of Sydney then as I saw many a guy being dragged from shop to shop like myself.

Then again though there is the other alternative as well.  Where business owners make as most as possible, and pay their non union workforce as least as possible.

You've got Bosses getting rich upon cheap labour,
you've got Unionised workers ripping off Businesses something sweet to the point a lot of bosses work for nothing and the business goes bust.
You've got employees being paid low but the bosses pump money into work environment, quality, gear, etc.
You've go bosses paying high Unionised wages but getting a lot of 'fringe benefits' on the side for want of a personal payrise themselves.

Which is the best?
Its like wondering which is best South Aust, QLD, NSW or Victoria ????

This is quite possibly the most dated thread I have seen for some time.

Supermarkets, and businesses in general, have been doing this kind of things for decades.  Layouts have been strategic since the beginning of chains.

I remember reading that Walmart in the US on Fridays and Saturdays put nappies next to beer at the front of isles.  Reason being sales showed that men we most likely the ones sent to get nappies on those days and picked up some beer since it was there.