Final answer:
Brands placed on upper supermarket shelves garner greater attention, demonstrating a shelf placement strategy in marketing. This product positioning takes advantage of consumer psychology and the attention economy, a concept that has evolved since the advent of department stores with their variety of goods and fixed prices.
Step-by-step explanation:
Generally, brands placed on the upper shelves of supermarkets receive greater attention than those on the lower shelves. This phenomenon is an example of shelf placement strategy used in marketing and product advertising. The higher placement of products utilizes the natural eye-level view of consumers to capture their attention more effectively. It's a common practice in supermarkets and department stores, where consumer psychology plays a significant role in guiding product placement and visual merchandising decisions.
Marketers have long studied storefront displays and the layout of retail spaces to manipulate shopper's emotions and perceptions. The goal is to create a desire for the product that goes beyond its explicit utility. This strategy of product positioning ties back to the principles of the attention economy, where capturing consumer attention is essential for persuasion and sales.
Department stores, for a historical perspective, represented a shift in consumer patterns. They moved from small, family-run shops to larger establishments with a variety of goods and fixed prices. Advertising and the creation of national brands became more common, instilling a sense of familiarity and trust in these brands among consumers.