Researchers from the University of Bonn and the Technical University of Munich have demonstrated that "nudging" can significantly influence consumer behavior in virtual supermarkets. "Nudging" is a technique that modifies the decision-making environment to subtly guide people's choices without imposing restrictions or offering financial incentives. By subtly directing attention to animal welfare products using visual cues such as footprints and banners, they found that participants chose these products nearly twice as often as those in a control group.

The study utilized a virtual shopping environment where participants' choices were monitored. These findings suggest that simple, non-intrusive techniques can effectively promote the selection of higher animal welfare products, potentially influencing real-world purchasing decisions. The research highlights the potential of nudging to encourage more ethical consumer choices without limiting freedom or requiring financial incentives. For more details, you can access the study here.