Veblen good

Named after economist Thorstein Veblen, who first pointed out the concepts of conspicuous consumption and status-seeking.[1]

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Veblen good (plural Veblen goods)

1. A good for which people's preference for buying them increases as a direct function of their price, as greater price confers greater status.

These should not be confused with Giffen goods, for which price rises increase purchases not because consumers enjoy the goods any more but simply because consumers have less purchasing power (and no viable alternative). For Veblen goods, purchases increase because the good is enjoyed more (e.g. for status reasons) when its price is higher.

• Veblen effect

• positional good
• Giffen good
• status symbol