EATING BEFORE SEASONAL SHOPPING COULD SAVE YOU MONEY

A group of restaurants in the CBD are claiming they can help save shoppers’ in the central city up to 64% on festive season spending sprees - with lunch. Elliott Stables $15 lunch special may stop unwise purchases that day.

“It’s commonly known that going to the supermarket while hungry impacts what you buy and the same applies to non-food related purchases,” says Stables Marketing Director Miranda Likeman. According to research from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management, being hungry simply amps up your desire to acquire things in general.

The study showed those who are hungry spend 64% more money than those who are less hungry, even on items that aren’t food – just taking more of what’s around when given the chance. The desire to acquire doesn’t affect how much they like an item, so hungry people don’t even have to want something to snap it up. The phenomenon even applies to online shopping.

“Basically, hungry people end up spending more money even on goods that they don’t even like that much,” says Likeman. When Elliott Stables heard about this it was clear they had to step in. “The restauranters are concerned about the impact on Kiwi pockets,” she says.

“So we hope to save shoppers from spontaneous seasonal spending blowouts by reminding them to eat before shopping. “Investing $15 in lunch at Elliott Stables could save you four times that amount in shrewd purchases,” says Likeman. “That’s science.”

Available on Tuesday and Wednesday’s, options on the Stables $15 lunch menu include a variety of dishes from around the world like traditional Italian lasagna, Latin style Chicken, Le Croque Madame, Asian fusion Pulled Soy Chicken Salad, American Southern Fried Chicken or a good old-fashioned cheeseburger. Likeman says it doesn’t have to be at the Stables, just make sure you shop with a full stomach.

“We all love a bargain, just make sure it’s one that you want or need.”