You know that feeling when you’re walking through the grocery store and all of a sudden you get a craving for something? That’s thanks to food marketing. Food marketers are experts at using subtle techniques to make us want to buy their products.
In this article, we will discuss seven of the most common strategies they use. So next time you’re in the grocery store, be aware of these tactics, and you’ll be able to resist buying unhealthy foods.
Table of Contents
1. Using Bright Colors to Attract Eyes
One of the most common marketing techniques is to use bright colors to attract attention. Bright colors stand out, so food marketers will use them to make their products look more appealing.
For example, have you ever noticed how almost all breakfast cereals are brightly colored? That’s not a coincidence.
2. Playing on Our Emotions
Food marketers know that we are more likely to make impulsive decisions when we’re feeling emotional. So they will try to play on our emotions in their advertising.
For example, you might see an ad for ice cream that shows people laughing and having a great time. The message is that if you eat this ice cream, you’ll also have a great time.
Or you might see an ad that shows a mother and her children bonding over a bowl of cereal. The message is that eating this cereal will make you feel closer to your family. These ads are designed to make us feel good, so we’ll be more likely to buy the product.
3. Vague Health Claims
Food marketers will often make vague health claims in their advertising. They might say that a product is “low fat” or “high in fiber.” But what does that really mean?
These claims are often meaningless, but they can still make us think that a product is healthy. That’s why it’s important to read food labels carefully. Don’t be fooled by vague health claims.
4. Using Famous Endorsements
Another common marketing technique is to use famous endorsements. If a celebrity or athlete is seen eating a certain food, we’re more likely to think that it’s good for us.
For example, Tiger Woods was paid to endorse Wheaties cereal. Michael Jordan was paid to endorse McDonald’s. These endorsements make us think that we’ll be just as successful as these athletes if we eat the same foods they do.
5. Offering Free Samples
Free samples are another way that food marketers try to get us to buy their products. They know that if we try a product and like it, we’re more likely to buy it.
You might have seen people giving out free samples in the grocery store. Or you might have been offered a free sample of a new food at a restaurant. These samples are designed to make us want to buy the product.
6. Using Nutrition Facts to Deceive
Have you ever looked at the nutrition facts on a food label and been surprised by how unhealthy it is? Food marketers use a variety of tricks to make their products look healthier than they are.
For example, they might use small font sizes to make the calorie count look low. Or they might use serving sizes that are unrealistic, so the nutrient counts look better.
Don’t be fooled by these tricks. Read food labels carefully, and don’t be afraid to do your own research.
7. Offering Coupons and Discounts
Coupons and discounts are another way that food marketers try to get us to buy their products. They know that we are more likely to buy something if it’s on sale.
For example, you might see a coupon for $1 off a box of cereal. Or you might see a sign in the store that says, “Buy one, get one free.” These offers are designed to make us think we’re getting a good deal, so we’ll be more likely to buy the product.
Final Words
Food manufacturers devise all sorts of subtle marketing tricks to get us to buy their products. But if we’re aware of these tricks, we can be more discerning consumers. The next time you see a food ad, take a closer look and see what hidden message it’s trying to send.