Are You a Safe Shopper?

Notice impulse items in your shopping cart? Blame a jam-packed store. Crowded environments affect your purchasing decisions, finds new research from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

In the study, people in cramped quarters chose to gamble money 50 percent less often than those who had room to breathe. Researchers also found that shopping in a full, crowded store may also make you more inclined to buy safety-oriented items like alarm systems, smoke detectors, and first-aid kits.

Why do crowds make you fear for your money and well-being? When people are in your personal space, you enter a defensive evolutionary state where you want to avoid risks and protect yourself, says study author Robin Tanner, Ph.D.

So that means when you feel threatened, you’re more attracted to items advertised to prevent harm rather than provide perks. Thus, toothpaste that prevents cavities is more appealing to a claustrophobic customer than a brand that whitens teeth.

Now, you might not buy an anti-balding shampoo when you’ve got a full head of hair, but the study is another fascinating example of how your shopping decisions aren’t always in your hands. Learn how to avoid these other sneaky retail tactics.

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