When a food product is contaminated with a major pathogen like E. coli or Listeria, it will often make the national news. However, a huge number of food recalls are for more minor issues. This can include an undeclared allergen or a physical contaminant like a piece of plastic. These “quiet” recalls are still a…
There is a common misconception that coupons are only for people who are on a tight budget. We have a mental image of a shopper who is painstakingly clipping paper coupons from the Sunday paper. In reality, many of the wealthiest and most successful people are obsessed with getting a good deal. They just do…
Shoppers are switching to store brands in record numbers to save money. However, in some cases, a “cheaper” private-label product is not the value it appears to be. Manufacturers will sometimes use hidden, low-cost fillers in their store-brand products. This allows them to dilute the main, expensive ingredient. This means that you are paying more…
Overspending at the grocery store rarely happens by accident. It is often the result of underlying behaviors and psychological triggers that retailers are experts at exploiting. These habits, which may seem harmless on their own, are powerful predictors that you will leave the store with a much higher bill than you intended. Recognizing these patterns…
“Shrinkflation” is the deceptive practice of reducing the size or the quantity of a product while keeping the price the same. It is a hidden price increase. While this is happening in every aisle of the grocery store, there is one section where it is happening the fastest and the most aggressively: the snack aisle.…
We all know that our grocery store loyalty cards are tracking what we buy. However, the new and more powerful form of data collection is tracking what you do not buy. Modern retailers are now using a variety of sophisticated tools. They want to understand your hesitations, your abandoned items, and your unmet needs. This…
For decades, the standard package of bacon in a grocery store was one pound, or 16 ounces. Today, you are much more likely to see a package that is only 12. This is a classic example of “shrinkflation,” where the company gives you less product for the same price. This change is not a random…
A retail store is a carefully designed persuasion machine. Every element of your shopping experience is crafted to get you to spend more money. Beyond just the store layout, retailers use a set of “in-the-moment” tricks. These tricks influence your behavior at critical decision points. These eight psychological tricks quietly train you to abandon your…
The high inflation of recent years makes most grocery prices feel painful. However, a few iconic products have famously resisted price hikes for decades. These items are known as “loss leaders.” Stores sell them at or below cost to get you in the door. They are betting you will buy other, high-profit items while you…
Every holiday season, grocery store aisles fill with festive, high-end products. You will see towering displays of expensive gift sets, gourmet popcorn tins, and premium advent calendars. For weeks, most shoppers walk right past these items. The high prices make them seem like a bad value. But the day after the holiday, a switch flips.…
The price on the shelf is not the only way that companies can charge you more. “Shrinkflation” is the sneaky, deceptive practice of reducing the size or the quantity of a product while keeping the price the same. Manufacturers do this to pass their rising costs on to you. They hope you will not notice…
The American middle class, once the powerful engine of the economy, is shrinking. This “hollowing out” of the middle is not just an abstract economic theory. It is a reality that you can see for yourself in the aisles of your local grocery store. The ice cream aisle, in particular, is a perfect and very…
Breakfast is often called the most important meal of the day. However, many of our most popular breakfast items are a nutritional disaster. They are marketed as being fast and convenient. In reality, they are often loaded with sugar, refined grains, and unhealthy fats. These foods provide very little real nutrition. They will cause a…
A grocery store cashier is a trained observer of human behavior. In the few moments you have in their line, they will make several surprisingly accurate judgments about you. They do this before you have even said “hello.” They are not trying to be judgmental. It is a simple pattern-recognition skill that they have developed…
The freezer is one of the most powerful preservation tools in your kitchen. It allows you to stock up on sales and to save leftovers for later. However, just tossing food into the freezer is not enough. You must use the right techniques to protect your food from freezer burn, moisture loss, and flavor degradation.…
The weekly grocery store flyer seems like a simple guide to the best savings. However, it is a carefully designed piece of marketing. Retailers use a variety of psychological tricks to hide their best deals. They also try to push you toward their more profitable items. To find the real bargains, you have to learn…