All of us are consumers. We consume things of daily use; we also consume
and buy these products according to our needs, preferences and buying
power. These can be consumable goods, durable goods, speciality goods
or, industrial goods. What we buy, how we buy, where and when we buy, in
how much quantity we buy depends on our perception, self concept, social
and cultural background and our age and family cycle, our attitudes,
beliefs values, motivation, personality, social class and many other
factors that are both internal and external to us. While buying, we also
consider whether to buy or not to buy and, from which source or seller
to buy. In some societies there is a lot of affluence and, these
societies can afford to buy in greater quantities and at shorter
intervals. In poor societies, the consumer can barely meet his barest
needs. The marketer therefore tries to understand the needs of different
consumers and having understood his different behaviours which require
an in-depth study of their internal and external environment, they
formulate their plans for marketing.