The snack aisle is one of the most competitive spaces in a grocery store. Hundreds of products are fighting for a limited amount of shelf space. This means that if a snack is not selling well, it will be quickly and quietly removed to make way for something new. This “silent discontinuation” is not a…
When inflation hits and household budgets get tight, the meat counter is one of the first places where shoppers change their habits. Consumers will quickly trade down from expensive, premium cuts to more affordable options. This shift in demand, combined with the fact that producers also adjust their offerings to control costs, means that certain…
Shoppers are trained to think that a smaller package or a lower price tag automatically means a better deal. However, manufacturers and retailers often use deceptive packaging and pricing to trick you into paying more for less. They create “budget” versions of products that look cheaper on the shelf but actually have a much higher…
Grocery stores are constantly looking for new ways to guide your path and influence your spending. The latest frontier in this effort is “wayfinding,” the system of signs, symbols, and floor decals that help you navigate the store. While these tools seem like helpful guides, they are also a powerful form of in-store marketing. They…
For generations, glass was the standard container for a huge number of household staples. It was a sign of quality and purity. Today, however, you will notice that many of those classic glass jars and bottles have been replaced by “shatterproof” plastic packaging. This massive shift, which has happened quietly over the past decade, is…
You are talking to a friend who lives in another state, and you are both complaining about the high cost of groceries. They mention a great coupon they just used from a major national brand. You are surprised because you have never seen that coupon in your local store or on your app. This frustrating…
A busy grocery store can be a prime hunting ground for thieves who are looking for a distracted target. These criminals, who often work in teams, are experts at using the chaotic environment of a supermarket to their advantage. They have several common tactics that they use to separate you from your purse or wallet…
A major food recall is a disruptive event. The unsafe product is pulled from store shelves. However, the story does not end there. Shoppers often find that even after the danger has passed, their favorite product is impossible to find for months or even years. This lingering scarcity is not an accident. It is the…
The holiday baking season is a joyous time, but it can also be a stressful one. As Christmas approaches, the baking aisle of the grocery store becomes a chaotic and crowded place. Popular, shelf-stable ingredients can sell out quickly, leaving you to make a last-minute dash to multiple stores. To avoid this holiday hassle, savvy…
The grocery store on a Friday afternoon is a chaotic place. The aisles are packed with shoppers who are stocking up for the weekend. While it may seem like a convenient time to shop, it is actually one of the worst. The huge crowds mean that the shelves are quickly picked over. The freshest and…
You are at the checkout in a store like Walmart or Target, buying a mix of groceries and maybe a new coffee maker or a television. The cashier or the self-checkout screen then asks a now-familiar question: “Would you like to add a two-year product protection plan for just a few dollars more?” This aggressive…
The grocery store has become a high-tech surveillance zone. Retailers are now using a sophisticated array of new technologies to watch, track, and analyze your every move from the moment you enter the parking lot until you leave. While the stated goal is to improve the shopping experience and to prevent theft, these technologies are…
A major food safety recall can be a death sentence for a brand. The news of a contamination outbreak can instantly destroy decades of consumer trust. Some companies never recover and are forced to go out of business. However, other brands seem to have a near-miraculous ability to survive even the most devastating recall and…
The color of a food product is a key part of its identity. We expect our orange soda to be bright orange and our mint chocolate chip ice cream to be green. When a company changes the color of a classic product without any warning, it can be a jarring experience. This change is often…
When the weather forecast calls for a major winter cold snap or a snowstorm, the grocery stores are instantly flooded with shoppers. People rush to stock up on the essentials they will need to be comfortable while they are stuck at home. In the frozen food aisle, this means that a specific set of vegetables,…
Shoppers in major metropolitan areas have noticed a frustrating and persistent shortage of a basic household staple: Ziploc bags and other resealable plastic baggies. While the problem is less severe in suburban and rural areas, the shelves in big-city grocery and convenience stores are often empty. This is not a sign of a new hoarding…