10 sneaky ways Walmart gets you to spend more money

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10 sneaky ways Walmart gets you to spend more money

Walmart employee shopper

David J. Phillip / AP Images

Walmart has a few tricks up its sleeve.

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  • Walmart employs subtle strategies to encourage shoppers to spend more money.
  • Most retailers use layout, signage, and other tactics to get people in the mood for shopping.
  • From baking bread to boosting the store mobile app, check out these sneaky approaches.

Walmart has a few tricks up its sleeve when it comes to getting consumers to spend more.

In that way, the retail behemoth is like most other national chains. From Costco's famous "treasure hunt" layout to Bullseye's Playground at Target , most retailers are eager to tempt customers to spend more.

Read more: Walmart workers wish they could tell customers these 7 things

Savvy shoppers looking to pinch their pennies should keep an eye out for all the sneaky ways Walmart and other retailers employ to get consumers to shell out more cash.

Check out all the subtle tactics Walmart uses to get you to spend more:

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Walmart often gravitates toward listing prices just below whole numbers — like $3.94 instead of $4 — to give the impression that the shopper is getting a deal.

Walmart often gravitates toward listing prices just below whole numbers — like $3.94 instead of $4 — to give the impression that the shopper is getting a deal.

Source: Business Insider

Walmart's bakeries are often at the front of the store. According to 24/7 Wall St., the smell of baked goods creates a "warm and inviting" atmosphere as you first embark on your shopping trip.

Walmart's bakeries are often at the front of the store. According to 24/7 Wall St., the smell of baked goods creates a "warm and inviting" atmosphere as you first embark on your shopping trip.

Source: 24/7 Wall St.

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Many retailers have caught onto the concept of a "store-within-a-store." 24/7 Wall St. reported that these areas are "decorated differently" to help the products contained within "stand out" better.

Many retailers have caught onto the concept of a "store-within-a-store." 24/7 Wall St. reported that these areas are "decorated differently" to help the products contained within "stand out" better.

Source: 24/7 Wall St.

24/7 Wall St. identifies Walmart's "consistent" rollback and pricing signage as a savvy tactic. Because shoppers can easily identify what's on sale, they're more drawn to buy those items on impulse. After all, who wants to miss a bargain?

24/7 Wall St. identifies Walmart's "consistent" rollback and pricing signage as a savvy tactic. Because shoppers can easily identify what's on sale, they're more drawn to buy those items on impulse. After all, who wants to miss a bargain?

Source: 24/7 Wall St.

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Walmart has good reason to push consumers to download its mobile app. Shoppers who use Walmart's app spend 40% more than customers who don't, according to Retail Dive.

Walmart has good reason to push consumers to download its mobile app. Shoppers who use Walmart's app spend 40% more than customers who don't, according to Retail Dive.

Source: Retail Dive

Walmart stores get consumers in the mood to shop by playing a variety of "calm, soothing" tunes or poppy Top 40 hits.

Walmart stores get consumers in the mood to shop by playing a variety of "calm, soothing" tunes or poppy Top 40 hits.

Source: Business Insider

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Walmart supercenters are notoriously massive. 24/7 Wall St. reported that this very fact can force shoppers to wander around the store in order to find products on their list, and thus "look at other items they had no intention of buying."

Walmart supercenters are notoriously massive. 24/7 Wall St. reported that this very fact can force shoppers to wander around the store in order to find products on their list, and thus "look at other items they had no intention of buying."

Source: 24/7 Wall St.

Like most chain retailers, Walmart stocks up on "impulse" buys like candy, tabloids, and toys by the registers, according to 24/7 Wall St. These small temptations are designed to get shoppers to pick up one last thing before paying for their purchases.

Like most chain retailers, Walmart stocks up on "impulse" buys like candy, tabloids, and toys by the registers, according to 24/7 Wall St. These small temptations are designed to get shoppers to pick up one last thing before paying for their purchases.

Source: 24/7 Wall St.

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To court consumers who want to avoid trudging around the store, Walmart has set up a pick-up service. This store pick-up program could entice customers to buy even more products, since they won't be the ones who have to lug the items around in a cart.

To court consumers who want to avoid trudging around the store, Walmart has set up a pick-up service. This store pick-up program could entice customers to buy even more products, since they won't be the ones who have to lug the items around in a cart.

Source: Walmart

An effective returns policy can tempt shoppers into making bigger, riskier purchases, as they can rest assured that their money will be refunded if things don't work out. The Krazy Coupon Lady blog recently published a note on how Walmart's mobile express returns policy can help you skip the line at the store's return desk.

An effective returns policy can tempt shoppers into making bigger, riskier purchases, as they can rest assured that their money will be refunded if things don't work out. The Krazy Coupon Lady blog recently published a note on how Walmart's mobile express returns policy can help you skip the line at the store's return desk.

Source: The Krazy Coupon Lady

Are you a Walmart employee with a story to share? Email acain@businessinsider.com.

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