The Grocery Cart Trick Stores Use That Makes You Spend 40% More

Your cart has been quietly growing for years, and it's not because families got bigger.

Compare a modern grocery cart to one from a few decades ago and you'll notice something strange. Today's carts are enormous. That is by design.

A big cart makes your haul look small. Ten items rattling around the bottom of a giant basket feels like you barely bought anything, so you keep adding.

Retail researchers have found that doubling cart size can push people to buy dramatically more, without a single sale sign or coupon involved.

The counter-move is almost comically simple: grab a hand basket, or no basket at all. When your arms get tired, your shopping trip is over. Your wallet will notice.