The Aisles Have It
The line at Blockbuster is long on a Saturday night. It snakes right around the high impulse items; those sugary sweet and salty tastesations that can send you into a diabetic coma.
Renting videos and games is a pleasurable ritual in which many participate. Just look in everyone’s hands and you can tell a lot about their personalities by their tastes in films.
I especially like seeing burly men with films such as Fried Green Tomatoes or Steel Magnolias in their hands or anything by Jane Austen. They look like they have been neutered and renting the film is a last ditch effort to get their machismo back.
I am not saying that men don’t like Jane Austen, I just don’t know any men who admit it.
I have noticed within the last couple of years or so, that the product line is getting thinner and the concessionary items are becoming proliferous.
We get far fewer choices of films now because Ben and Jerrys, Twizzlers, Milk Duds, Microwave Popcorn, Popcorn containers, gift cards,
and other items are splayed in front of us like a smorgasbord.
Just in case we get out without buying a concession, there is a huge gumball machine at the door. Our final chance to land in the emergency room with a stomach pump down our throat for the overdose of triglycerides.
Have we sacrificed product for marketing? Do we have less choice and more of someone else’s choice?
This trend is even evident in supermarkets. Have you noticed that supermarket aisles are getting smaller because they cramming more stuff into them and using more square feet?
If your aisles are too narrow, you won't be able to move. Narrow choices come from narrow minds. A clutter-free mind can roam anywhere."
I remember having several choices of items and now only a few have survived the shelves. There used to be a time when two shopping carts could easily fit down the aisle, now only one fits.
If you are in the same aisle as someone else, you either have to back up and let them pass or keep going and see who can knock the other back in gladiator fashion.
While that hasn’t happened yet, I can see it coming.
What do you think? Is it only my imagination or have you noticed the new marketing assault too?
18 comments:
it has become a marketing society..each segment has been jammed with choices so they compete for your attention..it becomes more about the glitz than the product or service
Robert,
That's the sad part. We get fewer choices and fewer competent people to serve us.
I love your insights here.
You're Right on so many levels my sister.
I wanna talk about the 'machismo' issue cos it fascinates me... we live in a society where its difficult for men to express love, compassion, creativity without it being seen as castrating them in some way (lol). As if strength cannot co-exist with softness (in either gender).
I've always found it wierd. Cos its de-evolutionary.
Gender stereotypes or any stereotype limits us... Surely guys and girls should be able to enjoy a football game and a romantic movie. But we feel the two are mutually exclusive.
Human beings are funny arent we?
Other animals must have a riot just watchin us do our thing..
Much love to you my friend,
M
Maithri,
I understand exactly what you mean. I think some men are just stuck in between being what we call sensitive. They are caught in that gender stereotype where they have to be tough. I know that behind closed doors, out of view of their friends or society that men are really teddy bears.
There is strength in tenderness. I agree that the gender roles, especially for men are a bit condescending if not de-evolutionary.
I love men who defy what society tells them and are free enough to embrace what they feel. (it's so refreshing)
Human beings are still in development - a work in progress. We baffle ourselves, but at least we give the animals get a good laugh. ;D
Thank you for your valuable thoughts my friend.
Much much love.
Virtual reality allows every human being to create their own story, their own film. You are the protagonist in your own unfolding story.
Liara,
We are everything in the theatre of self.
"I remember having several choices of items and now only a few have survived the shelves."
It seems like large chains such as Walmart are starting their own brands and then not putting competing brands on the shelves. its rather monopolistic, but it's big business.
NathanKP - Inkweaver Review
Nathan,
I know what you mean about Wall-Mart. A chain of stores in England has their own brands along side the popular brands. There seems to be many more choices. I know it's big business and Wal-Mart can be ruthless.
Hey Lady A!
I fancy your new interactive style: the way you ask questions at the end of your posts...
Before answering your question, I must comment on something: "I am not saying that men don't like Jane Austen, I just don't know any men who admit it." LOL LOL I hear you on that one! But I know one guy who admitted to like Jane Austen, and he was gay (my decorator)...does that count? Other than that, no...I don't know any guy who would admit to like any of Jane Austen inspired upon movies.
"If you are in the same aisle as someone else, you either have to back up and let them pass or keep going and see who can knock the other back in gladiator fashion" LOL LOL LOL LOL the same happens here, girl.
"What do you think? Is it only my imagination or have you noticed the new marketing assault too?" - no, it is not only your imagination, I'm afraid: we are being assaulted everywhere we go. You go to a pump station store to pay for gas: BAM!!!! You have to squirm through a river of candy, chiclets, ice-cream, futile magazines, bread, cookies, and lighters...all before you can reach the counter to pay for the only service you wanted to hire.
You go to the supermarket: BAM!!! Right at the entrance they "impose" on you Bonbons...they are there ready to taste one if you like, and then you end up buying them if you're sugar-weak *nodding*! Then you go to buy flour (before in the flour aisle you only had flour, but now...) what do you see...7 types of chiclets being sold alongside the many brands of flour; and this is when they don't also display mini-bags of chips and snacks....what is this?
Marketing is ferocious! But I ask: is this need to assault us with products the indication that consumption has decreased or are companies getting greedy?
Marketing Cheers
Hi Max,
"I fancy your new interactive style: the way you ask questions at the end of your posts..."
Thanks. It's a different approach to engage conversation.
"I know one guy who admitted to like Jane Austen, and he was gay (my decorator)...does that count?"
Ha ha ha ha. I will give you 1/2 point on a clever technicality. Technically he is a man.
We are hit from all sides. Everywhere we turn. We have to wear protective gear so we won't get hurt.
"You go to the supermarket: BAM!!! Right at the entrance they "impose" on you Bonbons...they are there ready to taste one if you like, and then you end up buying them if you're sugar-weak. Then you go to buy flour (before in the flour aisle you only had flour, but now...) what do you see...7 types of chiclets being sold alongside the many brands of flour.."
I know, I have seen it. Do they really have 7 types of chiclets there? I love gum and have drawers full of it. Chiclets used to be my favorite.
"Is this need to assault us with products the indication that consumption has decreased or are companies getting greedy?"
WIthout looking at the intake and outtake from their perspective, I don't know if consumption is decreasing. It seems to me that people are still buying, then I look at the recent mortgage and investment bank crisis and I think it is tantamount to consumer spending. We borrow more than we have to get things that cost twice as much as they used to cost. We can't catch our tails. Companies look at it as just big business decisions. The more they can get, the more they can grow. More, more, more.
I know someone who used to own a market. He says that they strategically place staples like bread, milk, eggs, meat, rice, beans, etc. in the back of the store so a customer can walk through the whole store and pick up other items that they didn't know they needed. I have also noticed that as soon as I get used to a store's layout that they will change it, just so I can take a three hour tour through their store. When is Google maps going to hook the satellite feed into the markets so I can just look at it on a monitor? I don't have time to tour.
I just may hire an assistant to do the shopping so I can have more time to complain. ;D
No Complaints Cheers.
Hi Alexys,
"Thanks. It's a different approach to engage conversation." - Don't mention it. It works perfectly!
"Ha ha ha ha. I will give you 1/2 point on a clever technicality. Technically he is a man." - LOL you are right, technically he is a man...I take the 1/2 point, thanks lol.
"We have to wear protective gear so we won't get hurt." - LOL LOL that is a good one LOL LOL....I can picture us going out to shop, or pay for something wearing protective gear LOL LOL awesome! But it cannot be pink...promise me lol....
"I know, I have seen it. Do they really have 7 types of chiclets there? I love gum and have drawers full of it. Chiclets used to be my favorite." - Nooo, really? You love gum? Girl, I can't live without gum LOL! Yes, we have 7 (that I am aware of) types of chiclets here...and by types, I mean flavours....
"It seems to me that people are still buying, then I look at the recent mortgage and investment bank crisis and I think it is tantamount to consumer spending. We borrow more than we have to get things that cost twice as much as they used to cost. We can't catch our tails. Companies look at it as just big business decisions. The more they can get, the more they can grow. More, more, more." - oh yeah, this economic and financial crisis is the reflection of over consumption: people were thirsty for acquiring debt, and so they quenched it by buying and buying and buying *nodding*! Now look at the state of things: old institutions are going down, people are being thrown to the matt...a total mess! Companies got greedy at people's greed...a snowball...and you know what is worse? People won't learn, and in 40, 50 years this may occur again!
"I know someone who used to own a market. He says that they strategically place staples like bread, milk, eggs, meat, rice, beans, etc. in the back of the store so a customer can walk through the whole store and pick up other items that they didn't know they needed." - oh yeah, it is a strategy...marketing at its best: they tell you what you need while placing the product right under your nose! And people fall for it! I can tell you that if most were like a certain person I know (Max rolling her eyes lol), markets and supermarkets would go down, cause that person "don't play that" she refuses to be manipulated like that.
"I have also noticed that as soon as I get used to a store's layout that they will change it, just so I can take a three hour tour through their store." - lol oh, I remember that when they started doing that here in Portugal, my dad complaint and had the supermarket's PR department calling him to apologise and make up a sorry excuse LOL...I opened my marketing book and said "Dad, read this!" *nodding*...
"When is Google maps going to hook the satellite feed into the markets so I can just look at it on a monitor? I don't have time to tour." - ROFL...great line LOL LOL LOL LOL LOL *hand on stomach* LOL LOL LOL LOL you kill me!
"I just may hire an assistant to do the shopping so I can have more time to complain. ;D" - LOL LOL LOL girl, they already do it in Brazil! People don't want the hassle anymore. I can tell you that shopping gives me the headaches...*nodding*....
Hassle-free Cheers.
Max,
"LOL you are right, technically he is a man...I take the 1/2 point, thanks lol."
Don't spend all those points in one place.
"I can picture us going out to shop, or pay for something wearing protective gear LOL LOL awesome! But it cannot be pink...promise me lol...."
I promise it won't be pink. Save that for Paris Hilton.
"You love gum? Girl, I can't live without gum LOL! Yes, we have 7 (that I am aware of) types of chiclets here...and by types, I mean flavours...."
Yet another thing in common. I am chewing Trident Strawberry Lime right now. Have you tried that one?
"Now look at the state of things: old institutions are going down, people are being thrown to the matt...a total mess! Companies got greedy at people's greed...a snowball...and you know what is worse? People won't learn, and in 40, 50 years this may occur again!"
Consumer frenzy. You are right, History will repeat. Look at the U.S. stock market crash in 1929 and the one two days ago. The same thing.
"...it is a strategy...marketing at its best: they tell you what you need while placing the product right under your nose! And people fall for it! I can tell you that if most were like a certain person I know (Max rolling her eyes lol), markets and supermarkets would go down, cause that person "don't play that" she refuses to be manipulated like that."
LOL! LOL! LOL! I have nothing to say. Let the laughter say it all. Ha ha ha ha.
"I remember that when they started doing that here in Portugal, my dad complaint and had the supermarket's PR department calling him to apologise and make up a sorry excuse LOL...I opened my marketing book and said "Dad, read this!"
Your father complained? Really? Good for him.
I am on the phone to Google maps right now and seeing what they can do for me (us.) Maybe I will offer to head it's marketing division.
"I can tell you that shopping gives me the headache."
I love going into supermarkets because I can always hear a song that I haven't heard in years. That's the only reason. And I HATE when employees talk over the song.
Uninterrupted Supermarket Music Cheers
Alexys,
"Don't spend all those points in one place." - LOL...that was a good one LOL! I will try not to....
"I promise it won't be pink. Save that for Paris Hilton." - LOL LOL that girl is so pitiful...*nodding*. With her money, she could do so many fruitful things...useful even. That TV program of hers...please...
"Yet another thing in common. I am chewing Trident Strawberry Lime right now. Have you tried that one?" - *High Five*. Yes, I have tasted that one as well: it's good!! Do you like melon flavoured gums?
"Consumer frenzy. You are right, History will repeat. Look at the U.S. stock market crash in 1929 and the one two days ago. The same thing." - yep...it's a cycle!
"LOL! LOL! LOL! I have nothing to say. Let the laughter say it all. Ha ha ha ha." - LOL LOL...I hear you LOL....
"Your father complained? Really? Good for him." - he did! Yes, but his complaining didn't change much...they keep on doing it *nodding*.
"I am on the phone to Google maps right now and seeing what they can do for me (us.) Maybe I will offer to head it's marketing division." - ROFL....what did they say? LOL LOL Did they accept your offer? LOL...
"I love going into supermarkets because I can always hear a song that I haven't heard in years. That's the only reason. And I HATE when employees talk over the song." - really!? You are a rare cookie, Lady A! LOL employees even talk over your thoughts, let alone the music *nodding*....
Musical Lady A Cheers
Max,
"[Hilton] With her money, she could do so many fruitful things...useful even. That TV program of hers...please..."
With her money she could disappear. ;D Maybe we should hook her up with David Copperfield?
"Do you like melon flavoured gums?"
I love melon flavored gum. Watermelon especially. One of the most fragrant is green apple. It makes my gum drawer smell like an orchard.
I am still in negotiation with Goggle. Working out the details.
"LOL employees even talk over your thoughts, let alone the music."
ROFL. I want to know how they get in my head in the first place. There must be a hole?
Patching Up The Hole Cheers!
Alexys,
"With her money she could disappear. ;D Maybe we should hook her up with David Copperfield?" - ROFL.....indeed LOL! That is a great idea: let's hook them up, girl lol!!
"I love melon flavored gum. Watermelon especially. One of the most fragrant is green apple. It makes my gum drawer smell like an orchard." - never tasted the green apple nor watermelon, only the melon one.
"I am still in negotiation with Goggle. Working out the details." - LOL good luck *crossing my fingers*!
"ROFL. I want to know how they get in my head in the first place. There must be a hole?" - LOL through your ears and nostrils, girl....it's amazing how penetrative their shallow conversation can be...*nodding*...it's like an acid fume travelling to your head, in order to ruin your auditive (and intellectual) Eden...
Anti-acid Cheers
Max,
"...never tasted the green apple nor watermelon, only the melon one."
I think you will LOVE apple. It lasts forever too. Your mouth will get tired of chewing before the flavor's gone.
"....it's amazing how penetrative their shallow conversation can be...*nodding*...it's like an acid fume travelling to your head, in order to ruin your auditive (and intellectual) Eden..."
Exactly my dear.
Real Anti-acid Cheers.
Alexys,
"Your mouth will get tired of chewing before the flavor's gone." - LOL LOL awesome description lol. I love it when a gum has a nearly everlasting flavour!
Thanks for a week full of interesting conversations, darling :D!
Gum Fans Cheers.
Max,
Thanks.
Happy gum shopping. :D
Chewing Cheers.
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