Advertising
Advertising plays an important role in consumer preference, especially for non-durable goods such as food or magazines. Advertising informs consumers of available goods and services and also shapes their impressions of these products. Advertising can also create demand; for example, a consumer may not have wanted a new cell phone until he saw flashy new phones on TV.
Social Institutions
Social institutions, including parents, friends, schools, religion and television shows also influence consumers' preferences. For example, kids might want to have the same toys their schoolmates have, while young adults may purchase the same products their parents used to buy.
Cost
Consumers usually choose to purchase more of a good if the price falls. For example, a sale or reduced prices may increase consumption of a good. On the other hand, an increase in price may cause reduced consumption, especially if the good has available