Going shopping? Beware of the ‘silent trick’ that stores use to make you spend more

Going shopping? Beware of the 'silent trick' that stores use to make you spend more

Entering a store and feeling the urge to buy something that wasn’t planned, or immediately associating a logo with a certain sensation, is a common experience. These reactions do not happen by chance. They result from carefully thought out communication strategies, where color plays a determining role.

As a central element of non-verbal communication, color is capable of awakening emotions, transmitting values ​​and influencing purchasing decisions in just a few seconds. A significant part of the first impression formed about a product is often just its color.

According to Marketeer, a website specializing in marketing, brands are well aware of these mechanisms and use color psychology to shape consumer perception. The use of red to create urgency, blue to convey confidence or green to suggest balance responds to strategic choices. Each shade is applied with a specific objective and adapted to the type of reaction it is intended to provoke.

Green: balance, nature and permanence

Green is one of the colors most associated with nature, health and growth. Visually comfortable, it conveys calm and stability, helping to create environments that invite lingering. It is therefore common in brands that seek to inspire trust and continuity, both in the physical and digital space.

On online platforms, green contributes to a more fluid experience, reducing eye strain and encouraging prolonged browsing. The choice of natural and soft tones reinforces the feeling of control and tranquility, elements valued in contexts where the user spends more time.

Red stands out for its emotional intensity. It is a color that quickly captures the eye and is associated with urgency and action. When combined with yellow, which refers to energy and dynamism, it creates an effective visual stimulus, widely used in retail and restaurants.

This combination is common in promotional campaigns, discount labels and action buttons in digital environments. The objective is simple: to guide the consumer’s gaze and encourage quick decisions, often associated with impulse purchases.

Blue: trust, security and rationality

Blue is a recurring choice in sectors such as banking, technology and health. The association with the sky and water, stable and predictable elements, contributes to a perception of safety and reliability. It is a color that conveys professionalism and serenity.

Unlike warm colors, which appeal more to emotion, blue is linked to logic and clarity. For this reason, it is often used by brands that depend on public trust and thoughtful consumer decisions.

Visual consistency and recognition

Choosing the right color is just the first step. Consistency in its use over time is fundamental to building a solid identity. The most recognized brands are those that maintain the same color palette across all contact points, from packaging to digital communication.

This repetition creates familiarity and reinforces the consumer’s visual memory. When a color becomes associated with positive previous experiences, the purchasing decision becomes faster and more intuitive, reducing uncertainty when choosing.

Understanding the role of colors helps you look at consumption more carefully. The shades that surround us are not just used to decorate or differentiate products. They function as silent messages that influence emotions and behaviors.

As Marketeer points out, being aware of these mechanisms is an important step towards making more informed choices and understanding how marketing often acts in a subtle way on a daily basis.

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