Just silently include it in the price and make it illegal to include the VAT as a separate line item on the final sales receipt. Most of the sheep will just blame businesses for increasing prices.
The VAT will also allow the government to open the lobbyist auction for which items should be covered by the VAT and which shouldn't. Congress will be rolling in "donations" from various industries to get a better tax rate.
If there is a consumption tax then it must be included as a separate line on the receipt, preferably in a font bigger than any other text. I want to rub the taxpayers' noses in the amount they are paying. Also, one single rate for every item and service, no exceptions or difference it rates. The tax is for collecting money, not for social engineering. Then dump the hundred and one other taxes (especially income, SS and Medicare) so that taxes can't hide. Hmm, this is sounding awfully like the FairTax.
That makes too much sense, never happen.