“19 Grocery Splurges You Won’t Believe You’ve Been Adding to Your Cart — And How to Finally Stop!”
15. Loss Leaders: The “Get You in the Door” Tactic
Grocery stores may run special promotions on a few popular items, sometimes pricing them at or below cost. These loss leaders are designed to lure you into the store, betting that once inside, you’ll do enough additional shopping to offset your loss on those initial products.
Taking advantage of genuine deals on things you need is fine, but don’t let a loss leader lead you to overspend on other items. Stick to your list and limit your browsing to minimize the chances of falling for impulsive purchases.
16. BOGO Sales: Buy One, Get One (Free?)
Buy One, Get One (BOGO) promotions can be tempting but require careful scrutiny. Often, to take advantage of the deal, you must buy two items, potentially more than you need. Also, the ‘free’ item frequently has its cost factored into the original item’s price.
Ask yourself: Do I need both items? Will I use them both before they expire? If you only need one, would it still be cheaper to buy it individually? Research shows that BOGO deals often lead consumers to purchase more than needed, particularly with perishable items.
17. The Checkout Aisle Gauntlet
The checkout aisle is a last-ditch attempt to squeeze in impulse purchases. Candy, magazines, and other small, tempting items are placed strategically while you wait. These are often high-margin products stores hope you’ll grab without thinking while checking out.
