I recently graduated from college and moved into my own apartment. That means that I’ve been buying stuff on a routine basis to keep my “household” running smoothly (i.e. food, cleaning, hygiene, storage etc).
In stepping into this world of buying things on a routine basis I’ve become hyper-aware of how indistinguishable most products are from each other (i.e. cheese, toilet paper, dishwasher detergent etc).
I now know why companies like Proctor & Gamble spend so much money on ads trying to distinguish their indistinguishable products from competitors.
I’ve always thought that I wasn’t influenced by TV/print/radio ads but now when I browse through Safeway and Target aisles I can’t help but have indistinguishable products jump out at me because of all the ad money spent on them over the years.
Maybe it’s just me but I’m finding the realm of personal buying trends to be very interesting.
Can you ever recall the last time you saw an ad of any kind for refried beans? I can’t. But, when I go to the supermarket to buy refried beans I go with Rosarita Vegetarian Refried Beans every time.
No exceptions. No wavering. No second thoughts. Rosarita. Every. Time.
Why do I go with Rosarita when there are so many other refried bean products to choose from? When I have a blank slate due to the absence of refried bean ads? The reason is pretty simple: Rosarita is what my family always used for all their refried bean needs.
I’m not sure what refried bean product I’d choose if I’d seen refried bean ads my whole life. Or if a friend tells me to try a new refried bean product that “is way better than Rosarita”.
