Branding

What is a brand? A brand is a name, term, design, symbol or any other feature that identifies one marketer's product as distinct from those of other marketers. A brand name is the part of a brand that can be spoken (including words, letters and numbers) such as nike. With out a brand name a firm couldn't differentiate between products. When I go to a grocery store I typically buy the same name brands for all my products. Why do I do this? I do this because I know that to expect from them. I've used the same name brand product for years so I know I'm going to like it where as if I start buying a brand I've never tried before, who knows if I'm going to like it. So then I decide to go with the product I know and trust. This then leads us into brand loyalty.
I don't know about other people out there but what I do know is that I'am totally guilty of brand loyalty. Brand loyalty is when a customer has a favorable attitude toward a specific brand. Whenever I go out and buy a product I tend to get the same brand unless there is a really good deal going on. I do this because I know what to expect from this particular brand where as an unknown brand is unframiliar to me. I don't want to buy this brand if I'm not going to like it and then have to buy what I typically do,even if this different new brand is a few dollars cheeper. Most people stick to what they know. For me I always buy dove soap. I grew up with my mom always buying it so now I buy it even though there are a ton of different soaps out there. I know that I like dove soap and know what to expect from it therefore I will continue to buy it. This is brand loyalty because no matter where I go to buy soap, I always look for the dove brand of it.
What do you think about brand loyalty? Are you guilty of it as well? Do you think people typically stick to using the same brands? Or do they not care and look for what's the cheapest? How does price relate to branding?