Ritu is a bridesmaid in her friend's wedding. She needs to find royal blue shoes that she will be able to wear for more than five hours. Ritu is determined to buy her shoes this coming weekend, but her plan is interrupted when the bride calls to let her know that she can wear whatever colour shoes she wants. Ritu decides to pick up a pair from a store with a great return policy just in case the bride changes her mind again. Ritu is at which stage of the consumer decision$-$making process?

a$.$ Purchase

b$.$ Evaluation of alternatives

c$.$ Information search

d$.$ Need recognition