["< in sod >'''market segmentation'''is the process of dividing a broad [ [ market ] ], normally consisting of existing and potential customers, into subsets of [ [ consumer ] ] s ( known as'' segments'' ), that have, or are perceived to have, common needs, interests, and priorities. the aim of segmentation is to identify high yield segments - that is, those segments that are likely to be the most profitable or that have growth potential - so that these can be selected for special attention ( i. e. [ [ target market ] ] s ). there are many ways to segment a specific market. wealthy business - to - business sellers might segment the market into 4 different types of [ [ business ] ] es, or [ [ country | countries ] ]. while marketers of consumer goods dealers might segment the market into demographic segments, lifestyle segments, behavioral segments or any other other meaningful segment. < eod > < sod >'''market segmentation'''is the process of dividing a broad [ [ market ] ], normally consisting of existing and potential customers, into subsets of [ [ consumer ] ] s ( known as'' segments'' ), that exhibit some type of shared characteristics. typical shared characteristics include such things as common needs, common interests, similar lifestyles or even similar demographic profiles. the overall aim here of segmentation is to identify high yield segments - that is, those segments that are likely to be the most profitable or that have growth with potential - so that these can be selected for special attention ( i. e. [ [ target market ] ] s ). there too are many ways to segment a market. business - to - business sellers might segment the market into different types worth of [ [ business ] ] es, or [ [ country | countries ] ]. while marketers of consumer goods might segment the market into demographic segments, lifestyle segments, behavioral segments or any other meaningful segment. < eod >"]