An older woman with a pensive expression is superimposed in front of the entrance to a Costco store.
CONSUMER AFFAIRS

Confirmed: Costco's Best-Kept Secret in the United States Comes to Light

Costco Finally Reveals Its Best-Kept Secret, a Strategy That Changes the Way We Shop

Costco, one of the largest retail chains in the United States, has been a benchmark for low prices and quality products. However, there is an aspect that many shoppers don't notice at first glance and that has been key to its success. It is a well-thought-out sales strategy that involves the placement of certain popular products in the store.

Costco's famous cakes are one of those products, but what few know is that their location in the store is not random. Instead of being visible from the start, these cakes are located in a distant area, forcing shoppers to walk through several aisles before reaching them.

Facade of a business center of a wholesale store with a large sign and red posts at the entrance.
Costco's Cakes Are Strategically Located | Costco

A Strategic Journey to Impulsive Buying

Costco's cakes are a classic highly demanded by customers, but they are rarely located at the front of the store. This strategy is designed for shoppers to pass through several sections filled with attractive items. As they move toward the cake area, they are likely to encounter tempting offers, bulk discounts, or seasonal products that catch their attention.

This technique is based on consumer psychology, taking advantage of people's natural tendency to make impulsive purchases. Although someone may have originally gone to buy just a cake, the journey through the store significantly increases the likelihood that they will end up purchasing other products. In the end, what seemed to be a simple purchase turns into a trip with several more items in the cart.

The Influence of Presentation and Emotional Marketing

The effectiveness of this strategy is not only based on location but also on how the cake and other products are presented. Costco's cakes are large, visually appealing, and available at very competitive prices. This makes shoppers perceive them as an excellent opportunity, even if they weren't on their original shopping list, according to La Nación.

Costco store facade at sunset with people coming in and out.
Costco Limits Cake Purchases to Increase Their Value | Costco

Additionally, Costco has found a way to increase purchase desire through exclusivity. By limiting the number of cakes each customer can take, a sense of urgency and perceived value is created. This tactic not only increases the sale of cakes but also contributes to the purchase of other store items that might otherwise have gone unnoticed.

Costco's marketing techniques show how a carefully planned strategy can modify consumer buying behavior. From the arrangement of products in the store to promotions, everything is designed to maximize spending without customers realizing how it has increased. Undoubtedly, the Costco cake has become an essential element in this tactic, being much more than just a simple bakery product.

➡️ Consumer Affairs

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