Free samples with a side of serotonin: Welcome to the Costco feeding frenzy - USA Today
This article explores the psychological appeal of Costco's free sample program and its effectiveness as a retail marketing strategy. It highlights how the experience influences consumer behavior and drives impulse purchases.
Why it matters
Understanding retail psychology helps explain how large-scale warehouse clubs maintain customer loyalty and increase average transaction values.
Hear this story Caitlin Johnson has a motto she swears by. "I don’t tell Costco what I need. Costco tells me what I need ."
Patio set? "You can’t beat the price." Dyson vacuum on sale? "Suddenly, I need a new vacuum." What’s that in the baked goods? "Who am I to say no to cake?"
Another sure-fire way Costco routinely works its mojo on this 34-year-old advertising executive from Long Island, New York? She loves the free samples, everything from cinnamon raisin cookies to baked cauliflower.
"Stay with me here. I walked right past it twice. But I kept watching these people and they're like, 'Oh my gosh, this is amazing.' So finally, I'm like, 'all right, there's something to this,'" said Johnson, who has two refrigerators to house her Costco hauls. "I walked out with two of them."
Get smarter about the news
Sign up free for a feed built around what you actually care about, Dive Deeper research on any story, and the full text of every article.
Create free accountAlready have an account? Sign in