Final answer:
Customers with an early adopter mindset and a desire to be recognized as trendsetters are best described as Innovation/trend buyers. The correct answer is option a.
Step-by-step explanation:
The customers described in the question demonstrate an early adopter mindset and desire to be seen as trendsetters. They are not just looking for any products but those that set trends and present them as forefront consumers. This behavior aligns with the historical shift in consumerism that saw the rise of department stores, signaling a change from purely necessity-driven purchases to also including luxuries.
Advertising strategies, like the bandwagon fallacy, are often used to appeal to such customers by suggesting a product is widely popular, thereby attracting those who wish to be at the vanguard of trends.
Given the context provided, these buyers align closely with the option 'Innovation/trend buyers', who are characterized by their desire to be early users of new products and their intent to influence others. This reflects a broader cultural shift where consumption is equated with success and happiness, as described historically. Therefore, the correct option for the described customers is A. Innovation/trend buyers.