Because we live in a college town, and Dissmore’s is so close to campus, I was curious how much they advertised alcohol. Just as the stereotype for Wazzu would say, after walking in the door I only had to look 30 feet to see a pallet of Busch Light that was on sale. After seeing that I walked over to the beer cooler to see further how this was advertised.
When I got to the aisle with beer, I realized that even though it was the main deal offered, and how they initially grabbed your attention, you had to look hard and toward the bottom to find Busch. Instead, they made the more expensive beers at eye level and up. It wasn’t until you went into the cooler that there was an abundance of Pullman’s finest. Going further, another popular place in the store for students is the deli and meet section. Right next to this was an entire aisle of wine and champagne.
Even though the advertising of alcohol was a main point of curiosity, I noticed that it was this way for many products that would be ideal for a student on a budget. When you get to aisles with juices and pasta/pasta sauce, they put the more expensive products with eyesight, and the cheaper ones near the bottom shelves.
The supply and demand for beer—mainly Busch Light—is very apparent. Knowing that it’s the cheapest type of product in high demand is why these chain stores are able to have so much readily available.
Dissmore’s is a good representation of the relationship consumers have with stores. The major corporations are (usually) the ones that represent the more expensive product. However, because they are name brands and well known—along with potentially be of better quality—they have more credibility. Even though these company’s reputation and quality are enough to succeed in sales, the stores that sell the products help them by making them more visible to consumers.
Because we live in a college town, and Dissmore’s is so close to campus, I was curious how much they advertised alcohol. Just as the stereotype for Wazzu would say, after walking in the door I only had to look 30 feet to see a pallet of Busch Light that was on sale. After seeing that I walked over to the beer cooler to see further how this was advertised.
When I got to the aisle with beer, I realized that even though it was the main deal offered, and how they initially grabbed your attention, you had to look hard and toward the bottom to find Busch. Instead, they made the more expensive beers at eye level and up. It wasn’t until you went into the cooler that there was an abundance of Pullman’s finest. Going further, another popular place in the store for students is the deli and meet section. Right next to this was an entire aisle of wine and champagne.
Even though the advertising of alcohol was a main point of curiosity, I noticed that it was this way for many products that would be ideal for a student on a budget. When you get to aisles with juices and pasta/pasta sauce, they put the more expensive products with eyesight, and the cheaper ones near the bottom shelves. The supply and demand for beer—mainly Busch Light—is very apparent. Knowing that it’s the cheapest type of product in high demand is why these chain stores are able to have so much readily available.
Dissmore’s is a good representation of the relationship consumers have with stores. The major corporations are (usually) the ones that represent the more expensive product. However, because they are name brands and well known—along with potentially be of better quality—they have more credibility. Even though these company’s reputation and quality are enough to succeed in sales, the stores that sell the products help them by making them more visible to consumers.
What does this tell us about choice and the idea of supply and demand? What does it tell us about the global food system? How might we respond to the issue of drinking on college campuses by looking at what is available in the store? How does this all connect to patel?
ReplyDeleteIt may show that supply and demand will increase and decrease in accordance with choice for the college student and lower income groups. The supply will always be there because companies know what is in high demand not just in Pullman, but other college campuses. And due to it's lower price, the demand will always be up because there will be people who can't afford to go with the more expensive variety. Globally, it shows very often we are backed into a corner to but what we can afford, not necessarily what is the better option. The response to whether it is an issue or not can be up to an individual, but it clearly does show that some stores--right or wrong--will gear inventory towards their consumer not necessarily what is in people's best interest. In reference to Patel, it is one of those things that because we are exposed to it so much, the likelihood of consumption is raised. In another manner, there are few places that really show everything there is to know in relation to alcohol and other things of that nature.
ReplyDeleteYeah I always think when I go to the stores around here how much different it is then back at home. Here, it is obvious how much harder they sell to college kids. I honestly can't remember the last time I went to wal mart or dissmores and wasn't greeted with a sale sign for beer. It is very smart though, because people will go out of there way for cheaper prices.
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