We don't have Walmart here (thankfully) but I'm not at all surprised to read what you wrote here; more hocus pocus I guess, typical stuff.
As for the brands...if it does a job well I'll buy it and use it...but I don't default to designer brands, never have, as I don't often see the value and, like you, am not inclined to wear a shirt emblazoned with the makers name. When I see people who do, I usually think, wanker. I much prefer to work towards being a better person and having a better life than deluding myself that a designer brand can do it for me.