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Chapter IV. Rural and Urban Markets: A Comparative Analysis. Learning objectives of this chapter:. Understand the factors that differentiate urban and rural markets and create rural-urban divide
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Chapter IV Rural and Urban Markets: A Comparative Analysis
Learning objectives of this chapter: • Understand the factors that differentiate urban and rural markets and create rural-urban divide • Comprehend the consequent differences in urban and rural consumer behaviour
Factors Causing Urban-Rural Divide Source: Rajesh K. Shukla, “Rural Markets: The Next Frontier for Manufacturers”, Rural Asia, BIMTECH, 2005
Parameters Differentiating Urban and Rural Markets • Infrastructure • Socio-cultural background • Accessibility • Media Reach & Habits • Rural Sales Promotion • Nature of Competition
Media Habits in Rural and Urban Areas Source: “The Rural: At the Cusp of Change”, Rural Asia 2005 19th May 2005
Reach of Media in Rural Areas Source: NRS-2003, in Phadnis A., “The two-in-one nation!”, The Hindu Business Line, 2005
Differences in Consumer Behaviour in Rural and Urban Markets • Need based Buyer Behaviour of Rural Consumers b) Conscious Decision-making by Rural Consumers c) More Value for Money Decision making d) Consensus Decision Making by Rural Consumers e) Innate Resistance to Change amongst Rural Consumers f) Different Lifestyle and Product Usage Environment g) Different Perception with regard to Marketing Stimuli
Summary: Points to Ponder • It is not only the income alone, but also host of other factors that distinguish rural markets from urban market. • Difference in the availability of the infrastructure is the major difference between the two markets. • Differences in socio-cultural background of consumers in two markets significantly differentiate the consumer’s behaviour in these two markets. • The challenges in distributing goods and services in the rural market justify the requirement of separate rural marketing effort and approach.
Summary: Points to Ponder • The media reach and media habits are very different in urban and rural markets; creating need for different promotion strategies for the two markets. • Nature of competition, response towards pricing and branding are also quite different in the two markets. • There are significant differences in the two markets regarding: lifestyle of the consumers and their desire to change, How they perceive the marketing stimuli? How they decide to buy? Why they buy? The environment in which product is used. • Overall consumer behaviour and consumer decision-making process are significantly different in the urban and rural market, which justify approaching the rural market and rural consumer in a manner different from the urban one.