CMJR 350 "Out of Class Persuasion and Consumption"

I am a sucker for advertising. I didn't need to walk through a grocery store to have this realization, but it did help to reinforce the fact. For example, when presented with the option of a variety of gum, I looked carefully at the different packages and went with the much more stylish and fancily named:

even though it was more expensive than the regular Wrigley.

Every single aisle is stocked with different companies competing for your attention with their product. It is hard to find just one item that you don't double-take after you pick it up to make sure the competitor's isn't any better than your ol' reliable. Everything pops out at you with a discount and fun color on every shelf. If I want a can of soup, I have to make sure I'm getting the best deal AND the prettiest can. I am very visually oriented, so the better looking the product, I will probably be more likely to buy it. I do not know if this is the same for most people, but I must assume so because it encourages companies to keep doing it.

The check out stand may be the worse place for me- I'm reminded of the things I need but don't need. All of the check-out lines force you to read the advertisements while waiting for the line to move and of course I will be tempted to buy a magazine, some more candy, and maybe that special edition bag of chips as well. The persuasive appeal for the magazine is that now I've just read the headlines for the articles inside, and if I don't buy it, I'll never know the ending! That's like watching a movie except for the last 20 minutes! I am convinced by the lifeless magazine that I actually should know if Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart are dating!

And as for the candy, well once again, I like the amazing colors that I imagine are much more flavorful than my usual candies.

I actually did buy this new type of skittles strictly because of the fact that they have "crazy cores" according to the package. (But they did end up being very good)...

Along with just packaging, colors, and quick lines, the positioning of the products is also very important in convincing me to buy- and this is when the chips come in. They just seem to know that as you are crossing of your shopping list item after item, you will remember the dip, but forget the chips. Fear not, however, because these stores will keep them right where you will remember, exactly before the check out counter. And while you're there, you may as well get more than one flavor. And this is how, I a poor college student, become even poorer. With the sneaky tactics of subliminal food messaging, and the blatant product placements, or even food associations- the meat always right next to the cheese, so you of course have to get BOTH for a sandwich!- I will willingly accept all of this persuasion as if guided around by the companies themselves.

The biggest trickster of all to me Costco, however. This "consumption" place not only provides you with lots of things you don't need, but still buy, they ALSO catch you on your way out with a full meal. You cannot leave Costco without smelling that pizza or hotdog- you actually smell it the entire time you are shopping and then after walking around the 10-football-field-sized warehouse you are on the verge of starvation, so what else can you do but buy a hotdog and pepsi for the road?

In the end, as much as I despise spending money on unnecessary products, I really enjoy experiencing the persuasion in grocery stores or any food vending place. I like to see the options, varieties, and as I said before, I really like the pretty packaging. So I guess my final thought is that I'm so used to all of these marketing strategies that I am not annoyed by the constant bombardment, but rather content with the options.