Market researchWhat is market research?

Businesses use market research to identify customers’ needs and wants. Each method of market research has advantages and disadvantages for a business.

Part ofBusiness managementManagement of marketing

What is market research?

provides information about:

  • the market itself (size and make-up – i.e. age, gender, income, tastes)
  • customer feedback
  • effectiveness
  • promotional methods
  • sales data
  • competitors
  • effect of price on market

Businesses use the information they gather to design new products and modify existing ones. This approach helps to maximise the potential success of products and services.

There are two main types of market research:

  • field research, also known as primary research
  • desk research, also known as secondary research
Different market research - Field (hall test, online survey, face to face, focus group) and desk (sales figures, newspapers, websites, government reports)