Freeblog #6

Free Blog #6

                Warehouse stores have always been stores where one could go in with a list and come out with three times more than they intended in purchasing.  I believe that is part of the psychology of the store, in the way that they have the samples out at the end caps of the aisles, and the “special deals” that they have where you can get a cheaper deal at the warehouse store than at the regular grocery store.    Some of these stores include Costco, Ikea, etc (Lee, 2012).  One factor that draws patrons inside the store is the tremendously inexpensive food court that these stores have, and some people don’t even do shopping, they just go and eat in the food court (Lee, 2012).  “Bob Collins, Costco’s director for the food court and bakery, said that the company expects to sell more than 300 million hot dogs, pizzas and other items at its food courts this year” (Lee, 2012).  This number seems astronomical to me, but if you think about it, the number of hot dogs that just a family of four purchases, in addition to drinks, etc, is a regular sample of how much is sold.    

                Another store, Ikea, forces patrons to walk past their café on the route to the check-out  counter, giving customers the “opportunity” to purchase lunch or dinner with the enticing smell of their meatballs or salmon (Lee, 2012).  I have been to both Costco and Ikea, and I would have to say that Costco is my eatery of choice.  It happens to be cheaper, and more convenient. 

                When thinking about convenience, and cost, those two things are very important when a family with several (sometimes) children are going to make a large purchase.  One generally knows that they are going to spend more than they plan when going to the warehouse stores, so if they know they are going to either get a snack or a meal at the café, they want to get a great deal.  Costco is the way to go!!!  With the way the economy is, people need to watch their money and pinch their pennies, therefore they should do whatever they need to do, Costco it is!

Works Cited

LEE, ELLEN. "CHEAP EATS A BIG DRAW AT WAREHOUSE STORES." MSNBC.COM 25 04 2012,  www.msnbc.com n. pag. Web. 25 Apr. 2012. <http://bottomline.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/04/25/11308412-cheap-eats-a-big-draw-at-warehouse-stores?lite>.