Types of Consumer Products

Abstract

This chapter defines and describes which consumer factors, such as age, education and status, impact purchase decisions and explores several categories of consumer products. Consumers’ purchasing considerations differ depending on how much thoughtfulness plays a role in decision-making. Some consumer products require analysis and comparison prior to making a purchase decision. Not all consumer products are desired; some are purchased out of immediate need. Unsought and emergency products are purchased in response to unexpected stimuli and experiences. Unlike other consumer products, digital goods have nearly infinite supply, as the costs to download and distribute a digital song, for example, is negligible. Services, such as insurance, medical care or house cleaning are not something you can hold or that can be physically broken; thus they share a similar intangible as digital goods. Differences between industrial, consumer, do-it-yourself and self-service products are discussed. Thus, there is a diverse selection of consumer products available to a wide variety of consumers that are defined and explored.