Supermarket hack: Why chewing gum helps when shopping

In supermarkets, our shopping behavior is carefully influenced - through scents, music, clever shelf placement, and even the design of shopping carts. No wonder that despite good intentions at home, suddenly chips, ice cream, or chocolate end up in the basket. But knowing these strategies makes it easier to resist them. One surprisingly simple tip: chewing gum.

Chew instead of buying

Studies show that chewing gum can help suppress unconscious cravings. The fresh mint flavor changes our sensory perception - snacks seem less tempting, and the desire for sweet or salty treats decreases.

The result: shoppers who chew gum buy about 7% less junk food on average. A small trick with a big impact.

How the shopping cart controls you

What many don’t realize: modern shopping carts are often designed to look emptier than they actually are. Slanted bottoms cause products to slide to the back, and larger carts distort our sense of fullness. Some carts even have wheels that roll more easily the heavier the cart gets - a subtle trick that encourages buying more.

Spotting supermarket strategies

Right from the entrance, your pace is slowed down - by turnstiles, barriers, and the fresh scents of fruit and vegetable displays. The slower you move, the more you look - and the more you buy. The longer you spend in the store, the higher the chance of impulse purchases.

Bottom line: Those who shop with chewing gum, a clear plan, and a conscious eye not only buy more deliberately but also healthier.

Photo by Tara Clark via Pexels.