Product placement can be seen as a form of advertisement. Some companies are even willing to pay a premium to get their products placed at the eye-level or “special” position to catch consumer’s attention.
While doing some research about this, I came across this article and was totally surprised. I couldn’t believe that this special form of advertisement could be considered a risk factor for obesity.
After reading that, Save-on-food came to my mind. I shop there quite often and can remember clearly the patterns within the particular store. The first step into the store, shoppers can see big sections of green, fresh vegetable and fruits, together with bread, baked goods and deli. This make the grocery shopping trip seem to be “heathy” right at the beginning. Nevertheless, when the shopping trip ends and people go to line up for check-out, a whole section of special promotion with soft-drinks, chips, candies are right behind them or even next to the cashier counters. Boringly waiting in line, shoppers can turn around, take a look and pick up some of those products without any conscious or prior intention.
But somehow, you end up leaving the store with bags full of chocolate, pop and pastries.
Candies at the cash register
Delicious Oreo cookies right in the front, special promotion!
Shoppers are responsible for their products purchasing; however, their decisions sometimes are totally influenced by contextual factors, specifically product placement.
Product placement totally benefits for companies to get their products exposed to consumers. Thanks to that, they can sell more and gain more profit. But this action can be a hidden risk to shoppers’ health when not-so-healthy foods or products are exposed too much to consumers in grocery stores.
Not simply a matter of self-control