Anyone who knows me or reads my blog regularly knows that I try to be mindful about how I spend my money. I avoid impulse purchases and try to make intentional choices about what I buy. However, every time I step into a retail store, whether it’s a supermarket, clothing shop, or department store, I have to stay on high alert.
Retailers spend millions on research to understand how our brains work and how they can encourage us to spend more—often without us even realizing it. They carefully design stores, pricing, and promotions to make us buy more than we planned, and they’re very good at it.
Even if you know about these tricks, it’s easy to fall for them. Here are some of the most common ways retailers get us to spend more, plus a few ways I fight back.
1. The Store Layout is Designed to Make You Walk More
Ever noticed how essential items like milk, bread, and eggs are often at the back of the store? That’s not by accident. The more aisles you walk through to get what you need, the more chances you have to pick up extra items along the way.
Similarly, in clothing stores, the most desirable (and expensive) new arrivals are at the front, while sale racks are hidden at the back. They want you to walk past all the full-priced items first.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I go in with a strict list and don’t wander aimlessly. If I only need milk, I go straight there and don’t browse.
2. The Power of “Limited-Time” Deals
Retailers know that urgency creates panic buying. Flash sales, “one-day-only” deals, and countdown timers on websites make us feel like we need to buy now or miss out. In reality, these sales often come back again a few weeks later.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I wait. If I didn’t plan to buy it before I saw the sale, I don’t let the discount pressure me into spending.
3. The Decoy Pricing Trick
Have you ever noticed that there are usually three different price options for similar products? That’s called decoy pricing, and it’s meant to push you toward the middle-priced option.
For example, a coffee shop might offer:
☕ Small – £2.50
☕ Medium – £3.50
☕ Large – £3.75
Most people will choose the medium because it seems like a better deal compared to the small, but not as expensive as the large. In reality, you’re spending more than you originally planned.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I decide what I need before I look at the pricing structure. If I only wanted a small, I stick to it.
4. Playing With Your Senses
Stores use lighting, music, and even scents to make us spend more.
- Soft, slow music encourages us to move slower, making us stay in the store longer.
- Bright, welcoming lighting makes products look more appealing.
- Scents like fresh bread or vanilla candles make us feel comfortable and nostalgic, making us more likely to buy.
This isn’t just in supermarkets—clothing stores use perfume diffusers, and home stores make you walk through scented candle sections to create an emotional connection to their products.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I keep my focus on my list and don’t let the “experience” of shopping distract me.
5. The Impulse Buy Trap at Checkouts
This is one of the oldest tricks in the book—the checkout area is stocked with small, tempting items that you didn’t think about buying until you were standing in line.
Supermarkets do this with sweets, gum, and magazines, while clothing stores have travel-sized beauty products or accessories.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I use self-checkout when possible—it’s usually less tempting. If I’m in a queue, I keep my hands off the shelves and scroll through my phone instead.
6. Making You Think You’re Saving More Than You Are
Ever seen a sign that says:
“WAS £50, NOW ONLY £25”
It sounds like a great deal, right? But what if that product was never really worth £50 in the first place?
Many retailers inflate the “original” price just so they can mark it down later and make you feel like you’re getting a bargain.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I compare prices online before buying to see if it’s truly a discount.
7. The Psychological Trick of “Buy One, Get One Free”
BOGO (Buy One, Get One Free) deals seem like you’re getting something for free, but they often encourage overspending.
If I didn’t need two bottles of shampoo, I’ve just spent more money than I originally planned.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I only buy BOGO deals if it’s something I already planned to buy.
8. Shopping Trolleys Keep Getting Bigger
A study found that shoppers with larger carts buy up to 40% more.
Supermarkets increased trolley sizes over the years so that people feel like they haven’t bought much and are encouraged to add more.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I use a basket instead of a trolley whenever possible. If I do need a trolley, I stick to my list and don’t fill up space just because it looks empty.
9. Pre-Packaged “Convenience” Costs More
Supermarkets love to sell us pre-cut fruit, shredded cheese, and ready-made meal kits—but they charge a premium for the convenience.
A whole block of cheese is cheaper than pre-grated. A whole melon costs less than a plastic tub of cut-up pieces.
🔹 How I Avoid It: I buy whole ingredients and do the cutting and prepping myself.
10. The False “Luxury” of Premium Brands
Stores design packaging to make products look more expensive than they really are. A fancy box, gold lettering, or a high-end brand name makes us assume it’s better quality.
However, many store-brand products are actually made in the same factories as name-brand ones—just with different packaging!
🔹 How I Avoid It: I always try the budget version first. If I can’t tell the difference, I stick with the cheaper option.
Final Thoughts: How I Outsmart These Tricks
Retailers use psychology to get us to spend more, but once you’re aware of these tactics, you can avoid falling for them.
Here’s how I stay in control of my spending:
✔ Always shop with a list – If it’s not on the list, I don’t buy it.
✔ Ignore flashy signs and deals – I take a moment to check if it’s really a good deal.
✔ Stick to my budget – I go in with a spending limit and don’t go over it.
✔ Shop with a basket – Less space means fewer unnecessary items.
✔ Never shop hungry – Especially in supermarkets!
Now that I understand these tricks, I feel much more confident avoiding impulse spending.
Have you noticed any other sneaky ways that stores try to get you to spend more? Let me know—I’d love to hear how you outsmart them! 😊💰
