Schedule mock interviews on the Meeting Board, join the latest community discussions in our Consulting Q&A and find like-minded Interview Partners to connect and practice with!
Back to overview

Difference between market segments and customer segments

What are the differences between market segments and customer segments? Can information about customer segments give you something extra if you already know the market segments?

3
8.8k
25
Be the first to answer!
Nobody has responded to this question yet.
Top answer
on Mar 02, 2019
#1 Coach for Sessions (4.500+) | 1.500+ 5-Star Reviews | Proven Success: ➡ interviewoffers.com | Ex BCG | 10Y+ Coaching

Hi Anonymous,

I agree with Vlad, since a market can be divided in different products, customers and distribution channels, customer segments – that is, segments defined as for a particular characteristic of the customers such as age or income – are just one way you could segment a market. From your question, it seems you are considering instead market segments as product segments, which are another way to segment the market.

Customer segments are usually an important element for an industry analysis, I would thus recommend you include them in your approach.

Best,

Francesco

Jorit
Coach
edited on Feb 28, 2019
First session -50%| Former BCG | Kellogg MBA | 200+ coaching session| Flexible scheduling

Hi,

Market segments are a way of splitting up the market in the relevant segment (which differ per industry). So for example in the automotive industry you might split it up by car-type: small, medium, sedan, SUV,..

Customer segments focus on the specific characteristics of customers, which could be age, income etc.. 

For this example, you can use market and customer segments to better understand what it going on vs if you would focus on the general trends. Looking at the SUV sales for each age bucket can reveal important trends (e.g. SUVs are becoming more popular under 21-30 year olds).

Hope this helps!

Vlad
Coach
on Feb 28, 2019
McKinsey / Accenture Alum / Got all BIG3 offers / Harvard Business School

Hi,

Customer segmentation is just one of the ways to segment the market. E.g. in corp banking you have large, medium, small customers by size. But you can also segment the corporate banking market by geography.

Best

Similar Questions
Consulting
Just did the Mckinsey Solve Game (January 2025) - got some questions/insights
on Apr 24, 2025
Global
5
3.3k
Top answer by
Hagen
Coach
#1 recommended coach | >95% success rate | 8+ years consulting, 8+ years coaching and 7+ years interviewing experience
35
5 Answers
3.3k Views
+2
Consulting
Employment Gap on Resume and How to talk about it during Interview
on Apr 14, 2025
Global
9
7.8k
Top answer by
Ariadna
Coach
BCG | Project Leader and Experienced Interviewer | MBA at London Business School
110
9 Answers
7.8k Views
+6
Consulting
How should I explain a change in course at university? Will it be asked of me?
on Apr 14, 2025
Global
10
3.4k
Top answer by
Alessa
Coach
xMcKinsey & Company | xBCG | +200 individual & group coachings | feel free to schedule a 15 min intro call for free
81
10 Answers
3.4k Views
+7
How likely are you to recommend us to a friend or fellow student?
0 = Not likely
10 = Very likely
Thanks for your feedback! Your opinion helps us make PrepLounge even better.