Why it is so cheap and not worth buying: 7 secrets of fixed-price stores
'10.06.2022'
Source: Adme
Increasingly, fixed price stores are appearing in the world, using a strict pricing policy. Such networks attract buyers with the availability of goods and a huge choice, because most of us would prefer to save money if there is such an opportunity. Adme.ru tells how stores with fixed prices not only remain without losses from the sale of cheap goods, but also make good profits, as well as what is worth buying from them and what is better to refuse.
1. Small salaries and large fines
The same store almost never has more than two employees at the same time. Most often, one cash desk is enough to process the flow of customers, rarely when a second one opens. In addition, wages in such stores are very small, and workers almost never stay in their place for more than a few months. This is also due to the fact that any mistake can be very expensive. For being late, for example, 5-10% of the salary is often deducted.
2. Low price due to contracts with manufacturers
Manufacturers (most often from China) sell their products at a lower price, in exchange for which the chain of stores buys large quantities of goods. But he sells them already with a mark-up that allows the store to make a profit.
3. Buyers do not count on high quality items
Due to this, everyone benefits: the producers, whose goods fell on the shelves of the store, the network itself, which makes money on this, and the buyers who received affordable, albeit low-quality goods.
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4. Very low rental costs
Large retail chains need to be in a convenient place for customers with high traffic. It is always either separate buildings or the first floors of large shopping centers, and the rent there is appropriate. A fixed-price store can afford to rent cheap premises in the market or even in the basement. This does not affect the final revenue so much, because customers are aware of the low prices of the network and go to the store purposefully.
5. The minimum budget is spent on advertising
However, it is needed to show shoppers that stores exist. But marketing costs are much lower than those that classic retail chains are forced to invest in their promotion.
6. Low prices are actually not so low
Here the psychological factor plays a cruel joke on the buyers. We see toothpaste in a fixed-price store for half the price of a regular retail chain, and we sincerely believe that by buying it, we will save a lot. The trick, meanwhile, lies in the volumes. Often, a fixed-price store sells a much smaller volume of goods than a classic retail chain. Adjusted for size, the cost is nearly identical.
At the same time, it will not be possible to compare the same volumes - in ordinary retail chains they simply do not sell small-volume goods. Therefore, on the price tags in a fixed price store they never write the price per kilogram or pound, as is done in ordinary retail chains. And if you consider the cost relative to the weight, it can often turn out that in “all at the same price” stores, the purchase will be more expensive than in classic chains.
7. The psychological factor makes us spend more in such stores
When we look at a low price, we don’t think about the total amount, which may not be so small. And the more spontaneous purchases we make, the higher the store’s turnover and profits. There is another psychological point: when we go to a budget store, we expect that all prices will be low, and we don’t even try to compare them with offers from other outlets. Just a store makes a minimum margin and earns from sales.
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Bonus: what is worth buying in stores with fixed prices, and what products are better not to buy?
- Food
Soda, snacks and fast food like instant noodles are no different from those found in regular stores. But sweets and chocolate can often be bought cheaper by weight, and the quality will be better. In addition, you should refrain from buying fish, meat and dairy products.
- Homeware
Plates, salad bowls, household chemicals for washing dishes, removing plaque and rust are often inexpensive, and the quality can even be better than in classic stores. It makes sense to look at liquid and solid soaps and fragrances - they are cheaper, but no worse than branded products. At the same time, it is better to refuse to buy cooking utensils and wait for sales in hypermarkets.
- Office
Pens, pencils, markers, erasers, paper clips, stickers and other office supplies are cheap, but they look stylish and are in no way inferior to those found in expensive stationery stores.
- Personal Care Products
Toothpastes and brushes, ear sticks and mouthwashes can be found in good quality and at low prices. But cosmetics like powder, mascara or nail polishes are better not to take.
- Electronics and Tools
Such products will not last very long, and in some cases may harm your health, as they overheat and may explode. Screwdriver sets with tips made of poor quality material spoil the threads. The same is with sewing kits - the needles and scissors in them are of poor quality.
- Useful household items
Little things for daily use - files, sponges, mask sets, cotton pads, manicure sticks, liquid dispensers, organizers and mirrors - you can buy without worrying about the benefits.
Do you have a specific list of products that you purchase in such stores? What does it include? Does it help you save money?
