Background of the Study
Customer segmentation is a vital aspect of modern retail marketing, as it involves dividing a broad consumer or business market, typically consisting of existing and potential customers, into sub-groups of consumers based on some type of shared characteristics (Smith & Chang, 2023). Segmentation enables retailers to tailor marketing efforts and offers to specific groups, thereby increasing the effectiveness of marketing strategies and improving customer retention. By understanding the different needs, behaviors, and preferences of various customer segments, businesses can develop more targeted marketing approaches that resonate with each group, ultimately driving sales and enhancing customer satisfaction (Thompson & Lee, 2024).
In Benue State, retail businesses, especially shopping malls, have witnessed rapid growth in recent years, largely due to urbanization and increasing disposable incomes. As shopping malls expand to meet the demand for a variety of products and services, they face heightened competition from other retail formats, both traditional and digital. Consequently, it has become imperative for these businesses to understand and cater to the diverse needs of their customer base through effective customer segmentation strategies. However, while customer segmentation is widely recognized as a best practice in retail marketing, many shopping malls in Benue State struggle with identifying and reaching the right segments, resulting in missed marketing opportunities and suboptimal customer engagement.
This study aims to evaluate the role of customer segmentation in retail marketing effectiveness, focusing on shopping malls in Benue State. By examining the segmentation strategies employed by these malls and their impact on marketing performance, the study will provide valuable insights into how customer segmentation can enhance the effectiveness of retail marketing in a rapidly evolving market.
Statement of the Problem
Despite the acknowledged importance of customer segmentation in improving marketing effectiveness, many shopping malls in Benue State still employ broad, generalized marketing strategies that fail to address the unique needs of specific customer segments. As a result, these malls may not be effectively targeting their marketing efforts, leading to reduced consumer engagement, lower conversion rates, and decreased sales performance. Furthermore, with the growing trend of digitalization and the increasing use of data analytics, there is a need for modern, data-driven segmentation strategies that can better serve the diverse population of Benue State.
There is limited research on how customer segmentation is being utilized in retail marketing by shopping malls in Benue State, and the lack of empirical data prevents mall operators from making informed decisions about the most effective ways to segment and target their customers. This study aims to fill this gap by evaluating the role of customer segmentation in retail marketing effectiveness within the context of shopping malls in Benue State.
Objectives of the Study
Research Questions
Research Hypotheses
Scope and Limitations of the Study
The study will focus on shopping malls in Benue State, with data being collected from mall managers, marketing professionals, and consumers. A limitation of this study could be the subjective nature of customer segmentation strategies, which may vary based on the resources and technological capabilities of the malls in question. Additionally, the findings may not be fully generalizable to all types of retail businesses outside of shopping malls.
Definitions of Terms
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