Superfluous choices and persistent brand preferences

Marketing usually strives to present consumers with finely targeted offerings. Evidence in this paper suggests, however, that when the context is augmented to include superfluous choices (i.e., inferior options or unnecessary choice steps) the task invites a perception of validity that cultivates consumer confidence and builds brand loyalty. Conversely, consumers too narrowly targeted lose confidence in their choices and display less enduring brand preferences. This effect of superfluous choices is isolated in a series of five experiments.