>Vendors aren't arbitrarily setting "trends" You're right in that trends aren't arbitrary, but you've jumped from that idea to the idea that consumer needs are

>Vendors aren't arbitrarily setting "trends" You're right in that trends aren't arbitrary, but you've jumped from that idea to the idea that consumer needs are the reason. That's not the case. A large proportion of the time the reason why a particular trend is set isn't 'consumers want this'. It's 'the commodities to make this product are going to be particularly cheap this season - so margins should be healthy'. The McRib is a great example. As a crystal clear example, do you think any consumer in their right mind wants their products shrinkflated? Do you think misleading packaging is based on satisfying consumer desires, or manipulating them? The competition is for dollars, not for goodwill.