Examples of Market Segmentation

Market segmentation is an integral part of a company's marketing strategy. It is the process of breaking down a larger target market into smaller, more homogeneous groups of customers that you can more efficiently market to. Both consumer-oriented and business-oriented companies should segment customers using one of several common approaches.

Demographics
Demographic market segmentation is one of the most common approaches to segmenting markets. With this strategy, a company simply divides the larger market into groups based on several defined traits. Age, race, gender, marital status, occupation, education and income are among the commonly considered demographics segmentation traits. As a simple example of usage, a company that sells feminine hygiene products will include "female" in its description of its primary market segment.
Geographic
Geographic segmentation is used by companies that sell products or service specific to a certain community, state, region, country or group of countries. Local businesses usually get no benefit in paying for national or international advertising. Companies that operate nationally can often save by delivering the same marketing messages to a national audience through one television, radio, magazine or newspaper ad. Global businesses typically decide whether to maintain a universal message or tailor messages to each country's marketplace.
Psychographics
Psychographics or lifestyle segmentation has become increasingly common as companies look to identify consumers based on interests and activities in lieu of demographics. As an example of this strategy's benefits, consider the lifestyle of an outdoor adventurer. Camping enthusiasts, for instance, typically have few consistent demographic traits. Campers are a diverse group. Thus, marketers would likely target a segment of outdoor hobbyists or campers for new camping equipment through outdoor programs or magazines.
Behavioral
Behavioral segmentation is based on user