The Longer They Stay, The More They Pay
Getting customers through the door earns you a rupee, but making them stay—whether with a food court or a scrollable app—earns you a fortune.
How Brands Master the Art of Engagement and Dwell Time
Getting people in is one thing.
Getting them to stay?
That’s where the magic happens.
IKEA: Stay, Eat, Spend
IKEA is not just a furniture store.
It’s an experience.
You walk in for a lamp.
You walk out with curtains, meatballs, and a full day gone.
Stores are huge—over 200,000 square feet.
Food courts, kids’ play areas, and even nap zones are inside.
They make you feel at home.
The longer you stay, the more you buy.
Revenue in 2023: Over $52 billion.
DMart: The Indian Version of Dwell Time
DMart isn’t built for speed.
It’s built for patience.
Narrow aisles. Bulk deals. Rows and rows of everything.
Customers often spend hours browsing.
They come for groceries.
They leave with homeware, snacks, and clothes.
And there’s always a new deal to explore.
Facebook: Hooked on Scrolls
Facebook (now Meta) wants your attention.
And they know how to get it.
Endless scrolls. Red notifications. Auto-play videos.
One post leads to another.
The average user spends nearly an hour a day on the platform.
Every second you stay = more ad revenue.
Caesars Palace: You Check In, But Never Leave
In Las Vegas, time disappears.
Caesars Palace removes the clocks.
Lights stay bright 24/7.
The layout is like a maze.
Why? Because the longer you stay inside the casino, the more you gamble.
2023 revenue: $11.5 billion.
Phoenix Marketcity: Malls That Keep You Around
Modern Indian malls like Phoenix Marketcity are not just for shopping.
They have theatres, play zones, events, food courts, and co-working spaces.
People come for movies but stay for meals and shopping.
It’s all about keeping the footfall… and spending.
Starbucks: Your Third Place
Not home. Not office.
But somewhere in between.
That’s Starbucks.
Free Wi-Fi. Cosy couches. Calm music.
People stay to work, study, or chill.
The longer they stay, the more they order.
Dream11 and Fantasy Platforms
Fantasy gaming apps hook users with matches, stats, and rewards.
Users check back multiple times a day.
It’s not just about winning.
It’s about playing longer, watching more, and staying engaged.
The Big Insight: Dwell Time = Money Time
Getting customers in the door earns you a rupee.
Keeping them there earns you a fortune.
So add that food court.
Create a cosy corner.
Make your app scroll forever.
Because when people stay, they pay.
