Final answer:
Purchasers are likely to develop trust for a brand that consistently delivers on its promise. This trust is based on the consumer's belief about the expected satisfaction from the product or service, and the brand's reputation plays a crucial role in building this trust. Hence, option (b) is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a brand consistently delivers on a promise that purchasers consider important, those purchasers are likely to develop a trust for the brand. Every purchase is based on a belief about the satisfaction that the good or service will provide. However, the information available to the buyer or the seller is often imperfect or unclear, which can lead to regretted purchases or avoidance of further transactions with the brand.
Marketing strategies can influence consumer beliefs, sometimes even manipulating them. It is, therefore, essential for firms to establish a good reputation to encourage repeat customers and obtain recommendations from them. A well-established grocery store, for example, can often charge a higher price based on its good reputation, compared to a temporary stand with an uncertain reputation.
This consistent delivery of the brand's promise and establishing a good reputation consequently form a relationship of trust between the brand and the consumer. Trust is central to business success as it leads to loyal customers who continue to choose the brand and advocate for it among potential new customers.