You do realize that Staff Picks do not have to be sale items. They are just things Staff may use. A perfect example is walk into any Blockbuster (or more than likely any movie store) and you will see a Staff Picks or Staff Favorites section. Guess what; none of those movies are on sale. Take it for what it is, and stop trying to create some grand conspiracy out of it.
That is the same kind of marketing, staff picks are most times the things that aren't selling well. Never the best interesting of the intended target, in mind.