Briefly compare and contrast the concepts of needs, wants, and demands and provide examples to illustrate your answer. How do these three concepts relate to marketing practices?

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Human needs are states of felt deprivation. Needs are a basic part of the human makeup; they are not created by marketers. Humans have a basic physical need for food, clothing, warmth, and safety; a basic social need for belonging and affection; and a basic individual need for knowledge and self-expression. Wants are needs shaped by culture, society, and individual personality. For example, an American needs food but wants a Big Mac and a soft drink. Wants become demands when they are backed by consumers' buying power. For example, an American with ten dollars needs food, wants a Big Mac and soft drink, and demands lunch at McDonald's. Marketers conduct extensive research to understand customers' wants and demands. They then attempt to fulfill customers' wants and demands through their market offerings.