The Gruen Effect refers to the psychological response of consumers in a shopping environment. It is named after the Austrian architect, Victor Gruen, who is considered the father of the modern shopping mall.
The Gruen Effect describes the disorienting and distracting effect that a well-designed shopping environment can have on a consumer. Specifically, it refers to the tendency for shoppers to become disoriented and lose track of time when they are exposed to certain design elements, such as curved pathways, changing lighting, and unexpected design features.
According to Gruen, this effect was intentional and designed to encourage consumers to spend more time in a shopping environment and ultimately buy more products. The Gruen Effect is still relevant today and is often used by retailers to create an immersive and engaging shopping experience for their customers.