Market Segmentation Essay

According to Horner and Swarbrooke (2005: 39), Segmentation may be defined as the process of dividing a whole market into subgroups or segments for marketing management purposes. Market segmentation is the division of the overall market for a service into various categories with common characteristics. In response to different segments, organisations facilitate the available resources to achieve greater efficiency, in order to satisfy specific needs of customers.

Organizations usually employ market segmentation in competitive markets for appropriate targeting of customers. This paper provides an analysis of how market segmentation can be utilized for competitive advantage as well as the need for ensuring diversification for sustainable growth.

In order to market the product into the market successfully, marketers need to have some marketing strategy to enter the desired market and make profit. Market segmentation is the process of dividing a market into subsets of consumers with common needs or characteristics (Schiffman et al., 2011). Understanding the market size and segmentation is valuable, but the keys to effective targeting is to know just how valuable specific consumer groups are, and being able to quantify the impact of consumer trends ( Berry, 1999).

What is Market Segmentation? According to Investopedia (n.d), market segmentation is a term used in marketing that refers to the aggregating of a potential buyer into groups, or segments, that share common needs and would respond similarly to a particular action in marketing. By utilizing market segmentation it enables Victoria’s Secret to target different categories of consumers who recognize the full value of certain products and services differently from one another. Furthermore, market segmentation is an extension of market research for the purposes of identifying targeted groups of consumers in order to tailor products and branding in a way that it is attractive to that group. There are three general criteria used to identify different market segments: homogeneity, distinction and reaction (Investopedia, n.d).

Market segmentation is a process of segregating the market into different smaller groups. A market comprises of large number of heterogeneous customer base with distinct tastes and preferences. A marketer needs to classify and segment people into smaller homogeneous groups basis similar characteristics, tastes, preferences, likes, etc. so that they will respond in a similar fashion to a particular product launched for that segment. Thus, market segmentation can be defined as, “the sub-dividing of a market into homogeneous subsets of customers from the

As every customer has unique needs and expectations towards certain products, the ultimate goal of market segmentation is to organize customers into groups which allows targeting of customers with similar needs of and response to the products. The key is to minimize differentiation within each segment

Market segmentation and the identification of target markets, however, are an important element of each marketing strategy. They are the basis for determining any particular marketing mix. Basic steps in marketing strategy are as follows:-

Market Segmentation – How & Why As well as the physical aspect of our store changing we have to look at the market differently. Where it was once possible to take a pile it high sell it cheap approach, to achieve broad appeal to the population we need to cater to the needs of the population. This is achieved by breaking the population into groups and then releasing products and services that meet the needs of these groups. This is known as target marketing. Although we all appreciate the theoretical economies of scale given by mass marketing a single product, there are few products that appeal to everyone.

Furthermore, market segmentation is an extension of market research for the purposes of identifying targeted groups of consumers in order to tailor products and branding in a way that it is attractive to that group. There are three general criteria used to identify different market segments: homogeneity, distinction and reaction (Investopedia, n.d).

Market segmentation- is the process in marketing of dividing a market into distinct subsets (segments) that behave in the same way or have similar needs. Because each segment is fairly homogeneous in their needs and attitudes, they are likely to respond similarly to a given marketing strategy. That is, they are likely to have similar feeling and ideas about a marketing mix comprised of a given product or service, sold at a given price, distributed in a certain way, and promoted in a certain way. Broadly, markets can be divided according to a number of general criteria, such as by industry or public versus private sector. Small segments are often termed niche markets or specialty markets. However, all segments fall into either consumer or

Segment marketing consists of a group of customers who share a similar set of needs and wants. In other definition, market segment is a group of customers or potential customers who have a similar problem or seek approximately the same benefits. (don sexton,

Similarly (Tynan and Drayton, 1987) states that the aim of market segmentation is to identify market segments, or individual sets of customers, which would form targets for the company’s future marketing plans. The elements used to separate customers into segments can include: age, gender, occupation, income, life stage, amongst others.

As a business owner there are constant things that need to be added or deleted down below suggests my SWOT analysis.

Market segmentation is an approach used by a company to select their target market and provide data for a marketing plan. “Market segmentation consist of a two-step process; naming broad product markets and segmenting these broad products-markets in order to select target markets and develop suitable marketing mixes” (Perreault, Cannon, & McCarthy, 2014, p.97). There are 4 categories pertaining to market segmentation; behavioral, geographic, demographic, and behavioral.

According to Blythe (2010), segmentation, targeting and positioning are fundamental to the concept of meeting customer need. This essay will outline and analyse these fundamental tools of marketing in an academic setting, in addition to, assessing how an organisation of my choice applies them in a working environment. Included in this essay, will be an academic discussion of the advantages of market segmentation, targeting and positioning drawing upon views of various scholars. Furthermore, I will provide a profile of my chosen organisation as well as an assessment of their market segmentation, targeting and positioning strategies. The essay will finish with a summary of the main points and will draw conclusions based on the evidence which has been presented.