TORONTO — There’s a reason why everyone prefers hardwood floors over carpeting in their homes – it’s much easier to clean and it looks a lot nicer (at least that’s what HGTV says).

So why is it that airports haven’t jumped on the hardwood bandwagon? If you’re a frequent flier, you’ve probably noticed that most airports are carpeted, which seems like a major oversight considering wheeled luggage would no doubt roll easier on hard floors. But there’s a good reason why carpet reigns supreme at terminals – it makes people spend more money.

Huh?

According to Mentalfloss, carpeting in gate areas (combined with natural lighting and comfortable seating) promotes relaxation before takeoff, creating a warm, homey feeling that keeps people – particularly nervous fliers – calm. And keeping people happy and calm is the end goal, says market research company DKMA, because when people are calm, they’re more likely to shop more.

How much more? About 7% on retail items in the airport, and 10% more on duty-free.

Suddenly, recent initiatives like spas, yoga rooms and therapy dogs that have been introduced by airports around the world make a lot more sense. So keep calm and shop on!