How Stores Make You Spend More!

It's no secret that we have to spend money during the holiday season. Whether it be decorations, gifts, food, travel, etc. it comes from some place or another!! And the stores are well aware that we have this shopping that needs to be done by a certain date, and sadly they take advantage of it.

Stores use little tricks and subtle hints to try and make us spend more than we actually need to. The worst part is that we have become so used to the tactics, that we are almost blind when it comes to these tricks!

And the closer to the holiday it gets, the more meticulous they become with their strategy; they'll tug on your emotions with holiday cheer and load the checkout aisle with tempting holiday delights that are nearly impossible to turn down.

So if you're tired of overspending, especially during the holiday season, then get ready to stick it to the man (or the retail store haha)!According to Business Insider, there are 10 tricks that stores use during the holiday season to try and get us to spend more money...

The 10 tricks stores use to get you to spend more during the holiday:

1. They tug at your heartstrings

The holidays are a heartwarming and special time of the year and retailers are well aware of this! They try to tug on your emotions more with charming decorations, cheerful holiday music, and aromatic displays. A lot of us forget to think logically about this because, eh just the holiday season!

2. They strategically place ultra-expensive items next to slightly cheaper ones

It's called a "compromise price effect." Stores sneakily place much more expensive items next to slightly more reasonable ones, to make customers think they're getting a good deal on the latter item when in actuality, they aren't!

3. They place the pricier items at eye level

Anything a store really wants customers to buy is generally placed right at eye level so it's easiest to find, and particularly favored items are highlighted at the end of aisles.

4. They put a big, bold "SALE" sign in the window

Even if it's just a few leftovers from Black Friday, this is simply bait to get you in the store, where you'll likely buy non-sale items. There's also a reason they're red (besides the holiday factor), people react faster and more forcefully when they see the color red@@

5. They price things at $0.99, rather than rounding up to an even price

Tagging a product with $0.99 causes consumers to automatically round down. If an item is priced at $1.99, we tend to think of the product as costing $1 rather than $2, making us more likely to purchase it.

6. They play the "limited-time offer" card

Stores use limited-time offers to increase your sense of urgency in making a purchase, which it doesn't help AT ALL that the holiday season already exudes urgency. Oftentimes, stores are simply creating the illusion of an unbeatable sale. Keep in mind that to be a thorough shopper over the holiday season you'll have to plan ahead and start your shopping early.

7. They load the checkout aisle with tempting products

The most profitable area of the store is the checkout line. By the time you've made the rounds through the grocery or department store, your self-control is effectively exhausted. Over the holidays, the checkout line is bound to be surrounded with various stocking stuffers and holiday candy, and stores bank on you succumbing to these temptations while waiting.

8. They give you a taste of what's for sale with sample stations

This trick not only slows you down and gets you to spend more time in the store, but it exposes you to new products. It also increases the odds that you'll buy that new product (trying something for free makes you feel more obligated to buy it!).

9. If the store isn't particularly big, they'll make it feel big

Store size matters. In crowded places, people spend less time shopping, make fewer purchases (planned and impulsive), and feel less comfortable
.

10. They choose strategic color schemes

Stores draw customers in with warm hues like reds, oranges, and yellows, but once inside, cool colors like blues and greens encourage them to spend more. There's bound to be even more red adorning storefronts during the holiday season!!!

If you want to curb your spending this holiday and all future holiday seasons to come, start by recognizing these subtle yet VERY common store tricks.

[VIA: Business Insider ]