It’s no secret that when it comes to making purchase decisions, we’re often influenced by the amount of choice we have. The more options we have, the harder it is to make a decision. This is why usherette trays, vending trays and sampling trays are so important for retailers! By limiting the number of choices customers have, you can focus attention on key products and brands, make it easier for people to make a purchase or try a product sample. In this blog post, we’ll discuss the psychology of decision making and how limited choice can help increase sales!
What factors influence the decision to purchase products such as food and drink?
There are a number of factors that can influence the decision to purchase food and drink products. The most important factor for low involvement products like food and drink is usually price, as people want to get the best value for their money. Other factors that can play a role include convenience (e.g. how easy it is to find the product). Having a product placed right in front of you when carried on a branded usherette tray can, therefore, also influence a customer to make a purchase decision. Quality (e.g. how fresh the food is), and brand (e.g. whether people trust the brand) are also influences. Seeing the brand written on the front of a branded usherette tray full of products can, therefore, influence a purchase decision.
Another important factor that can influence food and drink purchases is dietary restrictions or preferences. For example, some people may only eat organic food, while others might be allergic to a certain ingredient. It’s important for businesses to understand these restrictions and preferences in order to cater to as many customers as possible. If, for example, an organic and healthy brand was emphasised by using a branded wicker usherette tray, this encourage those with dietary restrictions to buy or try from the seller with the usherette tray.
Finally, lifestyle choices can also play a role in food and drink purchasing decisions. For example, someone who leads a healthy lifestyle might be more likely to buy organic produce, while someone who likes to indulge might prefer high-calorie snacks and drinks. Understanding these different lifestyles is essential for businesses looking to target specific demographics with their products. Again, lifestyle elements in the branding on a branded usherette tray could attract these customers.
The effects of limited choice (from an usherette tray) on purchase decision making
Research indicates that when customers are given a limited number of choices, they feel more confident in their choice and more satisfied with the purchase. Specifically, research has found that when people are offered six or fewer options, as they would be using an usherette tray, they are more likely to make a decision and less likely to regret it later. Additionally, customers who choose from a small pool of options are more likely to be happy with their purchase, as they perceive it as being more tailored to their needs.
This could mean that samples tried from an usherette tray could be more likely to lead to good attitudes about the product, and to repeat purchase.
When there are fewer choices, it is easier to make comparisons between the options and figure out which one is best for you. An usherette tray with a few product in can, therefore, lead to fast decisions to purchase. With more choices, it becomes harder to make these comparisons and you may end up making a decision based on factors other than what is best for you. Additionally, when there are fewer choices, you may be more likely to go with your first instinct or gut feeling about which option is best for you.