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This kind of leaves out the biggest question imo which is that of quality.

Usually, dupe's sacrifice quality for price. The fact that a market exists for this at all indicates a strong consumer acceptance of lower quality items.

I do wonder, if the "premium" option were to never exist, would these "dupes" even exist in the first place as they seem to enjoy an "implied" quality that the premium option pays for, whilst cannibalizing sales.

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>> Usually, dupe's sacrifice quality for price. The fact that a market exists for this at all indicates a strong consumer acceptance of lower quality items.

I think it is the other way around, too many brands lowered their quality enough that general consumers no longer believe (or perceive) the "premium" options to be worth it.

Might as well gamble and get the cheapest option that does not hurt the wallet too much, when high-quality is so rare these days.

I don't think its a given that knock offs sacrifice quality rather than markup for their lower prices.

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