Ever notice how you often end up spending more at Starbucks than you initially intended? This isn’t by accident. Starbucks has mastered the art of enticing customers through some clever manipulation techniques. Let’s unveil five of these techniques:
- The Atmosphere: Starbucks sells not just coffee, but an experience. With comfortable seating, free wifi, and the perfect playlist, the ambiance invites you to linger. The longer you stay, the more likely you are to purchase another drink or snack.
- Decoy Pricing: Ever noticed the marginal price difference between a medium and a large drink? This is a classic ‘decoy’ pricing strategy. By offering a product that clearly has less value for its price (the medium), it makes another product (the large) seem like a much better deal.
- Personalization: By writing your name on the cup (and occasionally misspelling it), Starbucks creates a personal touch and a topic of conversation. It makes your visit memorable and fosters a sense of connection.
- Limited Time Offers: From the Pumpkin Spice Latte to the Holiday Red Cups, Starbucks is a master at creating urgency with time-limited products. This technique gives customers the feeling they’re getting something special and encourages frequent visits while the offer lasts.
- Loyalty Programs: With the Starbucks Rewards app, customers can earn points for free drinks and food. This not only encourages repeat visits but also incentivizes customers to spend more to accumulate more points.
It’s fascinating to observe how brands like Starbucks employ psychological techniques to guide consumer behavior. At Cubic Mill, we understand the power of such techniques and how they can be applied in advertising to create effective and memorable campaigns.
