The secret trick supermarkets use to make shoppers spend 10% MORE, revealed
- Shoppers spend 10 per cent more when there’s music playing in-store
- However, this effect only applies in shops from Monday to Thursday
We’ve all been there – you go to the supermarket to buy some milk and bread and somehow come out with a new lawnmower, crate of beer and noodles.
But if you want to stay focused during your next shop, a new study suggests you should bring some earplugs with you.
Researchers have revealed that shoppers spend 10 per cent more when there’s music playing in-store.
However, this effect only applies in shops from Monday to Thursday, according to researchers from the University of Bath.
That’s because weekday shoppers tend to be mentally tired from the working week, and music lifts their mood, making them spend more, the researchers say.
We’ve all been there – you go to the supermarket to buy some milk and bread and somehow come out with a new lawnmower, crate of beer and noodles. But if you want to stay focused during your next shop, a new study suggests you should bring some earplugs (stock image)
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In the study, the researchers set out to assess the impact of music on sales on different days of the week.
The team tracked purchases made in a supermarket in Stockholm from 7am to 11pm, analysing a total of 150,000 shopping trips.
During some of these trips, background music was playing, while during others, the supermarket was silent.
The results revealed that people who shopped Monday to Thursday spent 10 per cent more when music was playing.
‘During the week people are short of time and many get their grocery shopping done after a full day at work,’ said Dr Carl-Philip Ahlbom, an author of the study.
‘Pleasant music appears to have a mentally soothing effect which impacts the way people shop.’
However, by Friday, people are already less mentally drained, and as a result, music loses its power, according to the researchers.
‘At the weekend people are essentially happier, and so the positive power of music is less noticeable,’ Dr Ahlbon added.
Weekday shoppers tend to be mentally tired from the working week, and music lifts their mood, making them spend more, the researchers say
‘In fact, playing music at the weekend may even mean people buy less, possibly because it’s an additional stressor in an already busy environment.’
Based on the findings, the researchers suggest that supermarkets should tailor their sound systems to improve their sales.
‘The research points to a clear uplift in sales, with high returns on the relatively modest investments required to install in-store sound systems,’ said Professor Jens Nordfält said.
‘For retailers this could be an attractive investment to boost weekday marketing, but clearly they will need to look to other techniques to match the effect at the weekend, when consumers are feeling more energized and less susceptible to this particular strand of subconscious marketing.’
Scientists reveal the simple supermarket swaps you can make to cut your carbon footprint
Whether it’s turning off lights when not using them or deciding to walk instead of drive, many of us try to take measures to reduce our carbon footprint.
Now, scientists have revealed the simple supermarket swaps you can make to cut your ‘carbon calories’.
Their findings suggest that people looking to go greener should swap feta for mozzarella and make their own burgers instead of buying premade ones.
Scientists have revealed the simple supermarket swaps you can make to cut your ‘carbon calories’
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