7 ms·
> This is a new low. Like many things people criticize Amazon for "starting", this has a long history in retail. When you walk into a store and see an attracti
by jefftk 4y ago
> This is a new low.
Like many things people criticize Amazon for "starting", this has a long history in retail. When you walk into a store and see an attractive display at the end of an aisle full of products from one brand, that is a "end cap" and is something that brand paid for.
- jt2190 4y agoAlso: - can pay for having product on higher shelves - can pay for more “facing” (width) on the shelf - packaging is itself a kind of ad
- gumby 4y agoAnd "fulfilled by Amazon" or even a product shipped without Amazon's involvement at all comes from supermarkets. In the chips and snacks aisle, that section full of Frito-Lay products or soft drinks (come to think of it, Pepsi owns Frito-Lay): the store rents our a section of the aisle and it's managed by the manufacturer: their truck shows up and the truck driver restocks that section of the shelving, rearranges the product, etc. The store is essentially just collecting rent and selling the goods on consignment. Amazon does the same and you know, doesn't provide any real support for those sales.
- sct202 4y agoEverything is amplified since the physical space on a screen is much smaller than the field of vision in a store. The real estate on phone is basically 2 products or 4 on laptop at a time for everything. This makes the ads wayyyy more powerful-not to mention targeted-than shelf placement or end caps or whatever else.
- foobarian 4y agoI knew a guy (older, old school generation) who's one among other responsibilities was to go store-to-store and bring the end cap materials. In addition he would spot check that the end cap displays their company paid for were in fact being placed.
- yamtaddle 4y agoAds on the store search is more like you ask a clerk to help you find one thing and they show you three other things first.
- jefftk 4y agoThe clerk can preferentially show you higher margin products that might be what you're looking for, and while a grocery store wouldn't bother other retail (ex: electronics, cars) will.
- solalf 4y agoI’ve actually heard of many restaurants doing this as well. “May I recommend the salmon today sir?” often means the chef got a good price on it and the restaurant will gross more. Source: a friend of mine who bused tables for a few years. Not sure that’s statistically relevant in any way, but it’s an interesting anecdote.