The ultimate objective of all production is consumption for the satisfaction of varied needs of man. A free market economy provides freedom to the consumers to buy and consume goods of their choice. Buying preferences of the consumers send signals to the producers to produce various commodities in required quantities. Producers, therefore, produces only those commodities which are desired by the consumers. Consumer behaviour is related to likes and dislikes and expectations of the consumers. Consumer behaviour has changed in recent years owing to enhanced awareness, information technology and more importantly governmental intervention through legislations. Thus, the manufacturers are more cautious in dealing with consumers of their respective products.
The rural consumers in India account for about 73 percent of the total consumers. In recent years, the lifestyle of a large number of rural consumers in India has changed dramatically and the process of change is on. The buying behaviour of the rural consumers is influenced by several factors such as socio-economic conditions, cultural environment, literacy level, occupation, geographical location, efforts on the part of sellers, exposure to media etc. The consumer movement in India till now has been confined to the middle class citizens in urban areas. It has yet to spread among the masses in rural areas.
This book is an effort to understand buying behaviour of rural masseswhich is influenced by a host of diverse factors. The work is useful to understand the Indian rural consumer psyche in order to formulate an appropriate marketing strategy. |
