The Supermarket: Prime Real Estate Summary

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In the article The Supermarket: Prime Real Estate, Marion Nestle reasons with much evidence that it is the supermarket entities who control what the majority of Americans eat and, in turn, cause obesity epidemics in America. Marion Nestle provides sufficient arguments that could genuinely influence the reader to believe likewise. Contrasting Nestle’s viewpoint, I would contend that it is a shared responsibility of both the supermarket entities and the average American for triggering obesity, as it has become common today to dismiss personal responsibility. Before making the claim that it is the supermarkets who the control what and how much Americans eat, Nestle presents us with data regarding the large number of edible products that are sold …show more content…

This particularly comes into play when concerning what Americans choose to eat. Nestle states “you are supposed to feel daunted—bewildered by all the choices and forced to wander through the aisles in search of the items you came to buy” (Nestle). Nestle’s first argument is concerning the reason why milk is often located at the back of the store. It is argued that the reason it is often this way, is due to the fact that stores need a way to advertise their large selection of products (Nestle). One could easily see how this could be quite effective. With this, the author reasons “…this means that supermarkets want to expose you to the largest possible number of items that you can stand to see, without annoying you too much that you run screaming from the store” (Nestle). Because of this, potential buyers are exposed to many more products than they will ever buy. I don’t necessarily believe this is much of a problem. However, Nestle argues that because buyers are shown such a massive quantity of products, they are enticed to buy and consume more (Nestle). At the same time that I believe this should not be a major problem, many people may lack the willpower, the knowledge, or possibly the finances to shop the correct and healthy way without buying much more products than they need. …show more content…

Although supermarkets are not necessarily obligated to do this, they could reorganize their products in-store so the priority of the shopper is placed higher than the company’s profits. Thus, customers would be more likely to purchase the products they originally intended to. Also, if supermarkets would discount and sell healthier products the way they do unhealthy products, customers would potentially eat better and stay healthier. This would also cause consumers to possibly be more satisfied with their shopping experience. In addition to this solution, if supermarkets were unwilling to change their stores to reflect this solution, the consumer could also shop online for some of the products they typically purchase from supermarkets. This way the customers are more likely to see what they need, as they could possibly save their items for repurchase later. Lastly, “If you find yourself in the supermarket buying on impulse and not minding a bit, you are behaving exactly the way the store managers want you to (Nestle). To match this, instead of aimlessly wandering through your supermarket like the store managers wish for you to do, you should rather make a list prior to your visit. You should purposefully walk through the store with the confidence you will only purchase what you had written on your list. Nestle states “research says that about 70 percent of shoppers bring lists into supermarkets, but only about 10

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