DOG TREAT MINI CASE: Observing Consumers at Veterinary Clinics, Pet

DOG TREAT MINI CASE: Observing consumers at veterinary clinics, pet superstores, and grocery stores, Happy Dog determined that consumers were more likely to buy expensive dog treats at their veterinarians' offices than at grocery stores or pet superstores. Happy Dog researchers also observed that consumers spent less time looking at the pet treats before purchasing them when the treats were purchased at the veterinarian's office because they assumed that anything on offer at a veterinarian's office must be good for their pets. As a result of this research, Happy Dog Beef Treats are sold only at the offices of veterinarians and dog groomers and are more expensive than the average dog treat that pet owners might purchase at the supermarket. Happy Dog recently modified its treat recipe to come out with NEW, JUICIER Beef Treats for pet owners to use to reward their dogs. Advertisements promoting the new recipe show a young boy teaching his dog a series of tricks by rewarding her consistently with Happy Dog Beef Treats. At the end of the commercial, the boy cues his dog for the tricks in front of his parents, she performs, and his parents clap proudly.
-In the DOG TREAT MINI CASE, Happy Dog uses its price and channels of distribution as ________ of the quality of its dog treats.

A) symbols
B) rituals
C) customs
D) values
E) beliefs