How IKEA gets you to impulsively buy more

IKEA has mastered the “Gruen effect.”

Researchers estimate that 50 percent of purchases are unplanned. These purchases, especially impulse buys, present an opportunity for retailers who can entice consumers to deviate from their shopping lists.

One of the most effective ways to influence this is through a store’s architecture. In the 20th century, the architect Victor Gruen, who pioneered the first American shopping malls, used light and space to dramatically stage goods in storefront windows. His designs were meant to capture the attention of passersby — and convert them into customers. This conversion became known as the “Gruen effect.”

Watch the video above to learn how Ikea has mastered the Gruen effect with a carefully designed store layout that gets customers to travel further distances… and buy more.

For the curious, here are a few links:

The Goods by Vox explains what we buy, why we buy it, and why it matters.

[TheSurvivalDude]

How to stick to shopping list while shopping at ikea:
Step 1: Have a reason to go to ikea.
Step 2: Be poor enough to only be able safely buy the items on your list.

[microbios]

I have gone to IKEA countless times and bought absolutely nothing. IKEA is an inspirational art museum for the simple minded (me).

[funny-video-YouTube-channel]

IKEA stores are like a *labyrinth of shopping.*
Sometimes I just went there as an adventure to discover the fastest way to the exit :-)

[reeceq]

**looks at four 79 cent ikea fake potted plants sitting in corner of room guiltily**

[mediocrebanters]

It's easier to stick to a shopping list when you're poor or low on money.

[lillyie]

IKEA is the place where even if you buy a map, you have to assemble it

[BayardoRugama]

Yesterday I went into target to get trash bags I went in got the bags and checked out. I’m a level 500 shopper; these tricks don’t work on me. I’m like a ninja.

[Ali-lmuw]

In short: For the customers to exit out of the store, they have to go through the whole of the store.

[idontwanttopickone]

And this is why everyone feels exhausted visiting IKEA.

[awesometv]

I don't buy things which are not necessary cause I'm broke!😅

[kyleolson]

"It probably wasn't ... a plate of meatballs"

Apparently, you haven't met my family.

[Diogatos]

I'm studying Persuasive Design and the example that my teacher gave for the 7 principles of PD was IKEA, because they actually adopt all of them. This was very interesting

[robertthomson]

I was at IKEA a few weeks ago. It was my first time in one of their shops. My initial reaction was how dangerous the layout would be were there a need for a swift evacuation of customers.

[nirui.o]

The problem is easy to resolve: You make your shopping list along with a spending limit.

If you have shopped everything you need and there are still money left, then walk another round to buy anything else you might like to buy until you have reached the spend list.

This satisfied my mental requirement every single time.

[KyrosX]

ha ha, joke's on you! I make sure I leave my wallet every time I go to Ikea!






*stands outside Ikea with a sign: will assemble for food*

[monanegi]

Ikea gives me feelings of excitement, happiness, anxiety, self-loathing and guilt all at the same time🤯

[JkdabombA]

Interesting video as usual Vox, but the irony of needing the American Express Pay It Plan It sponsor is not lost on me.

[megukoo]

you can't get me to buy anything if i have no money

[Austinatan]

It's probably the fact that you have been stuck in the IKEA for 3 weeks and has eaten nothing but sofas.

[Fortunateisluck]

I remember going to IKEA for the first time alone.
First time I went to IKEA, I looked for the exit and never found it.
After about 10 minutes of coming back to the art section, i started wondering if I was going mad or why no one looked as lost as I was.