We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culture

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Is the Relationship between Culture and Consumer Behavior?

Malcolm Tatum
By
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 13,633
Share

Many marketing experts understand there is a clear connection between culture and consumer behavior. Culture has the ability to greatly influence how consumers choose to spend money and even which products out of several options they ultimately choose to purchase. Interwoven with other considerations such as age, gender, and location, the influence of culture on consumer behavior is something that companies must understand if they are to build rapport with customers that helps to increase loyalty and continue to generate sales.

When it comes to culture and consumer behavior, a number of sub-factors related to culture will impact how and when consumers choose to buy products. For example, religion is a crucial element in many cultures, and will have a significant impact on what goods and services members of that culture are willing to consider buying. This means that if the dominant religious culture in a given geographic area discourages the use of tobacco or alcohol, the potential pool of consumers for those products will be smaller. For this reason, companies which make or distribute those types of products will limit advertising in the area, focusing attention on other markets in which there are no sociological taboos on the use of those products.

Since culture has to do with how people feel, think, and act, the connection between culture and consumer behavior demands that companies understand what a targeted group of consumers will think about a given product, and how they will respond to chances to buy those products. Taking the time to understand the prevailing culture within a given territory makes it much easier to determine how to go about marketing certain products, or whether to even try to market those products at all. For example, establishing a fast food restaurant in a small town where the prevailing culture calls for households to eat the majority of their meals at home will likely not generate the profits of a similar restaurant found in a culture where eating out is more common. While that restaurant may be able to earn a profit, it will most likely have to adjust the menu to include items that capture the attention of local consumers and offer them something different from what they prepare at home, while still offering items that fit well into the mindset of those consumers.

The strong relationship between culture and consumer behavior can have an impact on the purchase of all sorts of goods and services, ranging from household appliances to major purchases like automobiles. By being able to properly assess that connection between culture and consumer behavior, companies can adjust marketing campaigns to make the products relevant to those targeting consumers and increase the chances of earning their business. While in some cases this may mean launching alternative products that appeal to specific groups of consumers, this approach can be very lucrative in terms of meeting people at the point of their need and creating demand for those products.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Malcolm Tatum
By Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing to become a full-time freelance writer. He has contributed articles to a variety of print and online publications, including WiseGeek, and his work has also been featured in poetry collections, devotional anthologies, and newspapers. When not writing, Malcolm enjoys collecting vinyl records, following minor league baseball, and cycling.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By turquoise — On Mar 22, 2014

What if a culture discourages spending in general? I heard that the Japanese prefer to save money and do not purchase anything that is unnecessary.

By discographer — On Mar 21, 2014

My family is from Eastern Europe and I remember when chain restaurants started to pop up in the region. Most of them ran out of business because no one went. Not only was it customary to eat most meals at home, people also had low income and restaurants were out of their budget. Most people only ate at restaurants on special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries.

Things are changing now though, income has increased and the idea of eating out is not so foreign. More and more restaurants are being opened.

By serenesurface — On Mar 21, 2014

Large American brands do a great job of learning about culture and adjusting their products accordingly.

For example, McDonald's is known for adjusting its menus and ingredients based on the country and culture it is located in. For example, in Muslim countries, there are no pork products in McDonald's menus. The food items all taste a bit different based on the country. In India, the hamburgers are vegetarian and spiced. In Thailand, local desserts are made and offered at McDonald's chains.

This is just one example, many other brands who work oversees do the same thing.

Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum
Malcolm Tatum, a former teleconferencing industry professional, followed his passion for trivia, research, and writing...
Learn more
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-the-relationship-between-culture-and-consumer-behavior.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.