Personal stylist Angie Cox (Photo credit: Youlookfab.com)
Secrets Retailers Don't Want You to Know
Seduction begins by setting the right mood. Retailers work hard to create an inviting atmosphere that will put you in a good mood for spending, appealing to all your senses with cool music, alluring scents, and eye-catching displays.
The store layout is key. Retailers cleverly and strategically place what they call impulse-buy areas near the entrance, which is why you'll see makeup and perfume counters when you first enter department stores. The layout also encourages shoppers to linger, because as retailers know, the longer you stay, the more you'll spend.
Free samples let you try before you buy. Personally, I love getting free samples in the makeup department, but retailers know that once you've tried a product at home you're more likely to come back and make a purchase. Stores will also monitor what you've purchased, then send you related coupons in the mail (again, I think this can be a good thing if used correctly).
A confident shopper will spend more. Retailers use subtle messages to boost confidence such as indirect lighting and the infamous "skinny mirrors" which are tilted at an angle to make you look taller, longer and leaner in the dressing room.
Signs create a sense of urgency and exclusivity. Retailers use words like "new," "free," and "limited-edition" to attract shoppers. And have you ever noticed those "One-day only" sale signs that seem to stay up all week? Don't believe everything you read!