Agastya Asthana
Many people walk through the airports daily in awe of the airport architecture and in the belief that they have full control of the decision they are to make in the future. Airports are designed so that passengers subconsciously spend time and money there. Below are some of the ingenious ways airports generate revenue.
Airport duty-free shops are right outside security. After getting through the security, passengers are rid of the “stresses of waiting in line, removing their belt and shoes, being patted down by a stranger, and perhaps having another rifle through their belongings”(Telegraph). This sense of relief and the retail environment tells your brain it’s time to shop. The airport walkways are curved left most of the time. Many people that enter the airport carry some form of luggage with their right hand and look to their right most of the time; airports exploit this by making walkways curve left and line the right with duty-free stores so that most of the time you are looking at a brightly colored store selling everything you want(Telegraph). Airports estimate that every extra hour spent per person in an airport generates $7 in revenue(Telegraph). Therefore, the Heathrow airport in London makes about $3.6 million in revenue every year(Heathrow).
Those who believe they go to the airport just to catch their flight to a destination will fall victims to the psychological tricks. It is ethical that airports employ these tactics because not everyone has the same cognitive structure and some may not fall susceptible to the tactics, and still the airport has great architecture and makes you feel comfortable which does not come free or cheap. Do you think it is ethical to employ psychological tricks in airports?
Works Cited
“ACI Chief Calls for Greater Airport–Airline Cooperation.” The Moodie Davitt Report, 7 Apr. 2016, www.moodiedavittreport.com/aci-chief-calls-for-greater-airport-airline-cooperation/.
“Dubai Airport Inside Stock Photos and Images.” Alamy, www.alamy.com/stock-photo/dubai-airport-inside.html.
“Heathrow 2015 Financial Results Released with Revenue and Passenger Satisfaction Up.” Your Heathrow - Heathrow Airport Microsite, 8 Aug. 2018, your.heathrow.com/heathrow-revenue-grow-passenger-satisfaction-saws-in-2015/.
Kim, Soo. “The Surprising Reason Why Airport Walkways Bend to the Left.” The Telegraph, Telegraph Media Group, 23 Nov. 2017, www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/lists/how-airports-make-you-spend-duty-free-shopping/.
I think that it is okay for businesses to use these kind of psychological techniques to get people to spend more money at the airport. There is nothing wrong with companies wanting more money, and they are doing it the right way. Every seller wants to get more money and sell for more, while every consumer wants to get more for less money. These sellers aren’t forcing you, the consumer, to spend more money, you are doing that in your own free will.
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ReplyDeleteI think it is ethical for airports to control our spending when we are there because the airport is a business too and they need ways to make money. I have been to the airport many times and never thought about how much extra money the facility makes because of those small shops that charge way too much for a pack of gum. On the other hand, it is nice when there is a long layover to bum around in the shops for a bit, but there is very clever marketing and psychological strategies used to get travelers into the shops such as the curved walkways mentioned in the post. I wonder about the competition airport shops have, who decides what shops go there, and how much does the shop actually make after some goes to the airport?
The airport I would consider it as a mega business as a whole and the fact if we should allow these airports to impose these psychological tricks in order to get passengers to buy more and generate more revenue for the owners is a fine idea. Airports are not doing anything harmful to the customers and the people have a choice whether or not they want to purchase and item or not and these cool little systems airports have in place to try and edge people on to buy more products is just another business tactic that a lot of people use. Like when I went to a airport a couple times I can recall my family going straight from the security lines to the airport place so we won’t get tricked into buying items we don’t need. I think that this strategy is just another smart business move that is not meant to harm the passengers just to generate more money.
ReplyDeleteThis is a good topic because people won't think of doing this. Because in this piece its marketing and econ. mixed together which is unique in its way. Because if you really think of it airports really do control your spending that's why you see in pretty much every corner a star bucks that's because people love coffee and also if they want to stay up during their flight then you have coffee. Then you have all the shops with food and other things to buy. So your choose a good topic and did it well even with the pie graph. The last thing I liked about your piece is that when you showed an estimate on how much Heathrow air port makes.
ReplyDeleteI’ve only been to a 2 airports in my life and that was for a trip to Arizona. In Mitchell the lighting is kinda dark for the store sings to sign bright so they can get your attention. They have the stores placed beside each other but in a rather small hallway that is about 200-300 feet long. I think that it’s the variety of stores that make a impact because if they were all food places then it wouldn’t be as exciting walking down that hallway. I think that it’s not the food place but I think that it’s the smells that pull you in. We were all in that one situation where you walk into your house and mom is cooking something that smells amazing and you just say “ I want that now” in your head. But if there are gift shops then that is a excuse to buy more unnecessary things to take back home. When I flew into Phoenix and got off the plane there was a gift shop right away so that can catch the attention of people traveling. Sometimes it’s the layout of the airport too because they can group us like sheep and have us walk in a hallway with stores all over the place. So to recap I think it’s the verity of the shops and what they are there for.
ReplyDeleteI believe although iv'e never been in the airport I'd say that this is a bit of an overreaction because although it does make sense I don't think airports intentions are tricking customers their intentions are to keep everyone safe and sound flight to flight
ReplyDeleteThe airports are smart for doing this, but in different ways. One, they make money. Two, they keep the people waiting for their flights busy. Three, they feed hungry people. I wouldn’t say they do this just to make money, but to have the people there in a better environment with access to things they may have forgotten to bring on their trip.
ReplyDeleteI think it was very interesting to read about the ways airports basically scam you into selling money. However, I would like to know how much this actually works. Personally I would rather not shop for a Chanel bag in the airport I think that’s weird and would much rather order online or go to a store while I am on vacation. But, some people don’t want to just sit and wait around during long layovers so they typically go shopping. In that sense it can be useful to keep yourself entertained. Again, it would be interesting to see how these tricks to make you shop actually work.
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I believe that this action by the airports is okay. Airports are businesses in that they need to make money. There will always be a cost for something. They won't be handing these goods and services for free, or take them away. Airports need to make revenue, and it does happen everytime some is there in that if there is a layover you may spend at least an extra hour at the airport. If this good was taken away, then airports would be boring. So if people think that this action by the airport is bad, then fine imagine an airport without any resturants or stores to go to. The airport is doing this for the people.
ReplyDeleteI've always walked into an airport thinking I wasn't going to buy any food. But it's always 10 minutes before my flight I have a tendency to buy a quick snack and bottle of water. Although my tendencies are helping the airport out. I am the 1% that is adding to the airports revenue. I am helping them out in the long run, by allowing them to pay for further renovations to make me, as the customer, more at home. In a home away from home.
ReplyDeleteAirports jack up prices because they know you’re hungry, tired, or bored. It’s ridiculous to buy a pair of earbuds at Walmart for $15, but because you left them at home before a long flight, you’re bound to purchase them because it’s an airplane essential. I think it’s fair that airports raise their prices, as they’re a business too. Some of their prices could be lowered; some prices are unnecessarily high. I’m assuming here, but I believe airlines receive the ticket price you pay for the flight, and airports need to earn some revenue of their own.
ReplyDeleteI think while it's manipulative, it's perfectly ethical for airports to do this. Why? Because they're not the only ones. Pretty much everywhere you go in public, there are businesses using subtle tactics to try and get you to spend money. Malls do it, restaurants do it, casinos do it, stadiums do it, pretty much EVERY business or store out there uses psychological manipulation. It's a common business tactic. Airports shouldn't be singled out just because they're doing what everyone else does.
ReplyDeleteI know when going to airports things cost a lot more than they would anywhere else. However the airport stores know that there is a demand for what they offer, like books or snacks for long waits and plane rides. The airport, like any business it trying to profit as much as possible. With that they will try and get you to look at their storefront. Many people know that they are paying too much for things at the airport, but they still buy things there.
ReplyDelete- Colin Pham
I never thought about airports this way. Although, I am now realizing that every time I’ve been to an airport, I’ve definitely bought something. It is unique how the architectures create airports so they can persuade you to buy something. I’ve heard that colors can make you hungry such as red and yellow, which are the colors of McDonalds. Including these tactics in airports would bring in a lot of revenue- like it is already- which overall helps the economy. I think that the airport in Milwaukee should use more of these tactics because their lighting is somewhat darker and there’s not as many stores directly after you get through security. Yet, there are a few attractions in the airport that attract the eye.
ReplyDeleteAsking if the airport is ethical in using psychological tricks is similar to asking if supermarkets are the same. Supermarkets are designed in a way where certain products are next to each other to entice people to buy things and cheaper products are kept on the bottom shelf, out of view. They make the store maze-like so that it is difficult to get out without looking at more products. Ethics at this point in marketing have been tossed out the window, leaving the way for a more efficient way to advertise products to consumers. Commercials no longer have the extensive bluffs they used to have before the false advertising laws came in, but they still market products to an extent of manipulation. Such as a car commercial with women in bikinis or a slushie commercial with the newest star. These all want to manipulate your mind to associate the product with something you expect to be good. If an airport does something similar isn't it the same as many other things that are being sold around the world?
ReplyDeleteEvery company and store in the world uses psychology to make their products more profitable. From advertisements to the colors of the logo, psychology is influential to business. Companies employ marketing strategists who have studied psychology to help mold their products to be something that the public would want. You could ask this question of any business.
ReplyDeleteIts important to use this strategy to make sure that your business is successful and getting as many costumers as possible. Businesses want to make their business noticeable so it appeals to people and then it makes them want to go in their store.
ReplyDeleteI think there is very little consideration that goes into the ethics of marketing strategies now a days. These psychological strategies are present everywhere, without consumers even noticing they are being tricked to buy products. Whether this psychology is applied through misleading commericals, architechtural design, or eye-catching advertising, business's have developed effective srategies to increase consumption that aren't going anywhere anytime soon. Therefore, it's important for consumers to understand when and how these tricks are implemented in the places we shop, in order to become an informed consumer that can make conscious decisions regarding purchases that are in their best interest for their own personal consumer surplus.
ReplyDeleteI think it is definitely okay that airports are providing services that customers are receptive to. When I've had long waits at an airport, I've enjoyed getting a cup of coffee or buying a chocolate croissant from a vendor. Passengers are being put in an environment where making purchases has high utility for them. Airports offer the conveniences that most travelers wouldn't want to go without. Costs of goods are higher because people will still buy the goods in high quantities at an airport. The demand is higher because the quantity demanded at every price is higher. Businesses have every right to provide a service to consumers where there is demand and at prices that continue to get them sales.
ReplyDeleteI think that airports are not tricksters for using this to their advantage. Ultimately it is the consumers choice if they going to buy something and the stores can't force this on you. It's just good business strategies if they are able to identify these trends and use them to their advantage. Sometimes it is almost beneficial for the stores like these in airports because you are able to identify what you need for a flight or to get while waiting. If you owned a business would you not try to find the best way to advertise yourself in a professional manner?
ReplyDeleteI think that it is okay that airports are controlling their products. Sure, it may seem unethical, but at the end of the day, the airport is just another "business". They are trying to make money to keep their services updated, their facilities appropriate, and customer approval high. Saying airports are using psychological tricks into getting your money is kind of redundant, as much of the marketing industry in today's world uses the same type of marketing scheme. Whether it be through advertising, public opinion, or general flashiness, the same type of marketing scheme used in an airport is used in everyday business.
ReplyDeleteThis is really interesting when compared with the problem of over pricing in airports. The stores know that you won’t have the chance to leave the airport to get other food options or certain plane necessities like a phone charger so they raise their prices. The question becomes if this is even moral because if they know people wouldn’t have time to leave the stores are basically creating a monopoly inside and manipulating their customers to be scammed by paying a really high price.
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