Brandnames preferred when strangers around
``Through a series of carefully controlled experiments at a campus bookstore, researchers [at the U of Alberta] learned that consumers will, in every case studied, spend more money to buy a brand name item when someone they don't know is standing near them at the time they choose their purchase. Consumers also tend to spend more money when a group of people is standing near them but are more inclined to buy cheaper items when no one is near.''