You walk into Target for paper towels and somehow you’re leaving with new throw pillows, a seasonal candle, a shirt you didn’t plan to buy, and a receipt that’s $120 longer than expected. Sound familiar?
This phenomenon is so common, it has a name: The Target Effect. It’s the way Target’s store design, pricing strategy and marketing psychology work together to make you buy more than you intended. They’re not just selling products. Rather, they’re selling a shopping experience that subtly encourages you to linger, browse and spend.
