Brand Loyalty

When shopping are you attracted to the Brand Name? Are your Brand Loyal?

I have been thinking about this on and off for years. I am not a "shopper." I do not shop for sport. I am not a browser. I shop when I need something or for a special occasion.

What I have found, is that I am brand conscious - not as a matter of status, but convenience. I have narrowed my shopping to a collection of stores and website, which I trust, who are purveyors of quality products. I also tend to stick to certain stores, because I know where to find what I am looking for and I know the store layout, I can be efficient.

So I wondered - are you brand conscious and if so, why?

GM recently announced they were phasing out the Pontiac brand. I wonder about their loyal Pontiac purchasers. For many Americans who are motivated by price, cars are often one thing they are very brand loyal, buying the same brand over and over. (Or leasing as the case might be.)

I think this issue of brand loyalty is also a challenge for businesses. While on one hand businesses need to stay true to their core customer base, there is always the pressure to acquire new customers. Sometimes those goals are complimentary, but sometimes they are not.

So how do you shop? Have you thought about your preferences and your motives?