Grocery Quote by Kathleen McAuliffe
““Consumers even avoid buying items placed near a product with icky connotations. Grocery shoppers, for instance, have been shown to be repelled by foods—including goodies like cookies—if those items come within an inch of touching garbage bags, diapers, or other products associated with filth or bodily waste.””
About This Quote
Source Study: Consumer Behavior Research, 2018
People are repelled by products that are physically close to items associated with disgust or waste, affecting purchasing decisions.
In simple terms: Disgusting nearby items reduce buying intent.
Key Takeaway
Avoid placing desirable goods near waste‑related products.
Themes
consumer psychology
disgust
product placement
purchase behavior
Mood
cautious
analytical
Type
observational
practical
When to use this quote
- grocery aisles
- retail store design
- marketing strategy
- product bundling
Key Concepts
contamination aversion
spatial association
sensory perception
Questions to Reflect On
- How can retailers redesign layouts to mitigate disgust cues?
- What alternative cues could enhance product appeal?
A Different Perspective
If the product is essential, the aversion may be overridden by necessity.
