Final answer:
Claire's potential switch to a new toothpaste brand based on her mother-in-law's recommendation illustrates how personal endorsements can influence consumer behavior, impacting product choices especially when concerning health benefits.
Step-by-step explanation:
Claire's consideration to switch toothpastes due to the benefits mentioned by her mother-in-law is an example of how consumer behavior can be influenced by personal recommendations, which act as a form of word-of-mouth marketing. This influence is a key aspect in consumer buying decisions, especially for products that offer health benefits like tooth sensitivity reduction and teeth whitening. Additionally, the dynamic nature of consumer products, driven by a company's need to stay competitive through continual improvement as mentioned in the provided reference text, can result in product changes that force consumers to adapt their buying habits.
Furthermore, the composition of toothpaste plays a significant role in consumer choice. Ingredients such as fluoride, which chemically interacts with the teeth to prevent cavities, or strontium chloride and potassium nitrate found in some toothpastes for sensitivity reduction, may affect a consumer's product preference. Changing to a new toothpaste brand because of additional benefits signifies the importance of product attributes in shaping consumer behavior.