What Is a Target Market?

By Catherine Brock – Updated Dec 16, 2024 at 10:07 AM

Key Points

Identifying a target market allows precise marketing and product strategies.
Narrowing target market focus enhances resource allocation and marketing efficiency.
Focusing on target customers drove Dave's Hot Chicken’s rapid growth.

The Target (TGT +2.34%) market may be the store where you pick up peanut butter and sliced bread. But "target market" is also a business marketing concept that underpins key product and brand decisions.

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Target store employees speaking with a customer. — Source: Getty Images

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Demographics

Demographics are statistical characteristics of a population. They can include almost any descriptive trait, but the usual data points include gender, age, race, ethnicity, income and more.

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About the Author

Catherine grew up in Southern California wearing a lot of black and trying to perfect the art of sarcasm. Prior to joining The Fool as a contract writer, Catherine was climbing the corporate ladder in marketing roles and dabbling in too many side hustles. When she's not writing, she can be found riding a horse in the country or shopping online for clothes.

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Catherine Brock has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Target. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.