How does the perceived time investment in a product affect the consumer's willingness to purchase premium items at Lavender Bakery?

It signals baker effort and skill, which validates the premium price through transactional validation of that effort

Consumers are often willing to pay a premium when they perceive that significant time and skill have been invested in creating their product. For instance, a rich cake implies careful folding and extended baking times, while an organic loaf suggests slow fermentation and specialized ingredient procurement. This perceived effort translates directly into a higher perceived value, as the customer feels they are purchasing the baker’s dedicated time and expertise rather than just basic ingredients. This transactional validation of effort is a powerful sustainer of popularity, even when market prices are elevated.