[Maritime Q-Scout]

I think there's a difference between brand loyalty and buying the same brand.

I think you can buy other brands while remaining brand loyal.

For example. I buy Old Spice deodarant. I don't feel loyal to Old Spice, but theirs is the product in used to so I keep buying it. Same goes for Proenamel Toothlaste, No Name bacon & grapefruit juice.

I'm brand loyal to Coca-Cola. It makes me think of my grandfather and spending time at my grandparents as a kid. I will buy Pepsi or other colas (if there's no option, or I'm travelling and there's a brand I never heard of before I'll give it a shot).

I'm brand loyal to Russel Stovers chocolates, I won't buy anything else unless there is no other option, although I will buy Quality Street to have. Around Christmas.

Gagnong peppermints (same reasons as the previous two brands reminds me of my grandparents). The fact there's quality there too only helps my buying decisions.

I will buy brands that are quality and I try to stick to Nova Scotia companies for the arbitrary reason I'm from and live there. So, Stanfield's Underwear, Alexander Keith' s beer, for example. Both companies are probably owned by a big multinational now (Keith's is at least) but they're good success stories.

If I'm indifferent and you offer me perks I'll go out of my way to get the perk. Esso for gas due to Aeroplan, SuperStore for groceries due to PC Points. I generally pick up necessities and corner store stuff from Shoppers due to Optimum Points. Although I've started collecting AirMiles too.

I feel like brand loyalty is taking the side of the company. If you said Gillette deodarant is better than Old Spice I'd say "cool maybe I'll try it Old Spice tends to work well for me". If you said "Pot of Gold chocolates are better than Russel Stovers" I'd think you had some sort of mental disorder or you'd never had Russel Stovers before. I'd explain why you're wrong.

Brand loyalty is the emotional attachment. Good shopping is the practical repurchasing.