Why do some companies use "cheap" spellings of their names? (Rite-Aid, Sav On)?

Question

And on that same topic, why Lite instead of Light?

Answer 1

err because its an imitation... what other reason besides that?? and besides everyone understands that anyways its commen sense...

Answer 2

sometimes these funny Half names are derived from the merging of companies...there is a private chain of Convenience stores in the New Mexico area known as "Allsups", they are about 400 stores strong, the name is broken down from " All Supplies", and it is ironically the founders last name as well. Usually they are just something that's catchy to the person, if you have ever given thought to a name of a company, you will understand how brain racking it is...you want something that will "REACH OUT AND GRAB EM", and stick, kinda like the annoying song that was stuck in your head last week. Save-on is a California chain and back in the 80's had a catchy commercial on the radio that would stick in your brain for hours,,,oh how it bugged when i was a kid...lol...if they alter the letters a little it changes the intent to the customers, i.e. Light would lead someone to believe they were a lighting store if the person was not familiar with the store, therefore they use Lite, as in less. some companies also change the name of a company as you travel, such as Carls Jr. on the west coast becomes Hardy's on the east coast, same menu, same store appearance, etc. Some companies or products are marketed for a limited time like a LLC corporation, which can be dissolved once it has completed its goal, as they do with movies...but that's a different subject. Similarly, when a corporation purchases another chain, other than dissolving the subsidiary, they rename it. Like when CVS took over Eckerds pharmacies. What the Heck does CVS stand for...and whats it got to do with pharmacies...lol. basically nothing to the unknowing public, but when they acquired over 600 stores on the east coast alone, it became a simple name, and covered the legalities when dissolving the Eckerds Corp.

Answer 3

Good question! I just got back from the Kwik Mart for some Miller Lite...and then went to buy some Krispy Kreme donuts.... OK, just kidding.

I think they use these spellings because they're catchy and people remember them. That, or most Americans can't read that well anyway, and our English language is so convoluted, that they figure "what the heck?" I think the ones to have asked would have been Benjamin Franklin or Abigail Adams, both of whom were pushing for an easier, more phonetic, way of spelling the English language. I wonder what they would say about this (my guess is they would have approved of it).

Try to bear with the people who insist on using these spellings. Maybe they think it's cute, I don't know. We're certainly not going to get rid of this so it's best to admit defeat and concede.

Answer 4

My best estimation is that it's because more than 51% of shoppers/consumers are unsophisticated enough that they are more attracted to simple names that suggest savings or quality, than names that require more thinking or mental 'sorting'. Those companies didn't pick the simplistic, misspelled names all too randomly, but because the names are affective with shoppers.

Just goes to show you how the American consumer is perceived as a marketing target.

Answer 5

Since the spelling is different, it is more likely to stick out in people's minds.

Answer 6

brand name recall. it is a marketing tool.