The document outlines a framework for studying consumer behavior that includes three main sections: the decision process represented by the inner circle, individual determinants in the middle circle, and the external environment in the outer circle. Understanding consumer behavior is important for marketers to adapt to changing consumer needs and tastes, regulate consumption and economic stability, develop efficient marketing strategies, and effectively segment and target markets.

2.  To define the scope of a subject it is important to set
parameters or a framework within which it shall be
studied.
 Figure on next slide presents one such framework for
studying consumer behavior.
 This framework is made up of three main sections-the
decision process as represented by the inner-most
circle, the individual determinants on the middle
Circle and the external environment which is
represented by the outer circle.
 The study of all these three sections constitutes the
scope of consumer behavior.

4.  To survive in the market, a firm has to be constantly
innovating and understand the latest consumer needs
and tastes. It will be extremely useful in exploiting
marketing opportunities and in meeting the
challenges that the Indian market offers.
 It is important for the marketers to understand the
buyer behavior due to the following reasons.

5.  The study of consumer behavior for any product is of
vital importance to marketers in shaping the fortunes
of their organizations.
 It is significant for regulating consumption of goods
and thereby maintaining economic stability.
 It is useful in developing ways for the more efficient
utilization of resources of marketing. It also helps in
solving marketing management problems in more
effective manner.

6.  Today consumers give more importance on
environment friendly products. They are concerned
about health, hygiene and fitness. They prefer natural
products. Hence detailed study on upcoming groups
of consumers is essential for any firm.
 The growth of consumer protection movement has
created an urgent need to understand how consumers
make their consumption and buying decision.

7.  Consumers’ tastes and preferences are ever changing.
Study of consumer behaviour gives information
regarding color, design, size etc. which consumers
want. In short, consumer behaviour helps in
formulating of production policy.
 For effective market segmentation and target
marketing, it is essential to have an understanding of
consumers and their behaviour.