Definition of Consumer Behavior
Consumer behavior is the study of how people make buying decisions so businesses can design products and strategies that match customer needs. Its purpose is to help marketers understand customer motivations and create messages, offers, and experiences that fit real expectations. It includes personal, psychological, cultural, social, and economic elements that shape how individuals think about and select products. Consumer behaviour also performs the function of analyzing needs, predicting responses, and guiding marketers toward more effective targeting. It appears in several types such as complex, habitual, variety-seeking, and dissonance-reducing buying behaviour, each of which helps businesses understand how customers approach their purchase decisions.
Example of Consumer Behavior
For example, when people compare different products based on price, quality, safety, or convenience, their choices show what matters most to them in daily life. Businesses study these patterns to understand why customers pick one option over another. If most buyers prefer items that save time, companies create simpler designs and faster services. If many customers look for low-cost options, businesses develop budget-friendly versions. In this way, observing how people decide what to buy helps businesses shape products and strategies that match real customer needs.