An added value of neuroscientific tools to understand consumers’ in-store behaviour

Little is still understood about the actual in-store purchase process. Here, we report that prior ad exposure affects in-store decision-making. By using mobile eye-tracking and electroencephalography (EEG), we demonstrate that, unbeknownst to participants, the ad effect was driven by increased visual exploration of the product shelves for the brand that was presented during ad exposure, and a stronger motivation score, as assess by the brain’s prefrontal asymmetry. These findings are discussed in the light of the academic and commercial need to integrate neuroscientific tools in the study of consumer perception and choice.