["< sod >'''a market segmentation'''is the process of dividing over 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 and or that have growth potential - so that these can be selected for special attention ( i. e. [ [ target market ] ] s ). there are many different ways to segment a market. business - to - business sellers might segment the market into different unique types of [ [ business ] ] es, or [ [ country | countries ] ]. while marketers of consumer goods might segment the market into demographic segments, lifestyle segments, behavioral segments or any one other meaningful segment. < eod > < sod >'''market segmentation'''is the process of dividing a broad [ [ market ] ], normally consisting of existing and potential customers, either 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 of segmentation is to identify high yield segments - that is, be 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 therefore are many ways to segment a market. business - to - business sellers might segment the market into different types of [ [ business ] ] es, or [ [ stock country | countries ] ]. while marketers of consumer goods might segment the market into demographic segments, lifestyle segments, behavioral segments or any other meaningful segment. < eod >"]