You are at the checkout in a store like Walmart or Target, buying a mix of groceries and maybe a new coffee maker or a television. The cashier or the self-checkout screen then asks a now-familiar question: “Would you like to add a two-year product protection plan for just a few dollars more?” This aggressive push for extended warranties on non-grocery items is a rapidly growing trend in retail. While it is marketed as a service to protect the customer, it is actually a carefully designed strategy that is incredibly profitable for the store.
