Types of Consumer Goods

From an economic standpoint, there are three main types of consumer goods: durable goods, nondurable goods, and services. For marketing purposes, consumer goods can be grouped into different categories based on consumer behavior, how consumers shop for them, and how frequently consumers shop for them. One of the largest consumer goods groups is called fast-moving consumer goods. This segment includes nondurable goods like food and drinks that move rapidly through the chain from producers to distributors and retailers than on to consumers.

From an economic standpoint, consumer goods can be classified as:

1. Durable Consumer Goods

Durable goods are consumer goods that have a long life span (e.g. 3+ years) and are used over time. Highly durable goods such as refrigerators, cars, or mobile phones usually continue to be useful for three or more years of use, and hence durable goods are typically characterized by long periods between successive purchases.

These durable goods are referred to as Consumer Durables and examples of consumer durable goods include cars, household goods (home appliances, consumer electronics, furniture, etc.), sports equipment, and toys.

2. Nondurable or Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

Useful for less than 3 years, or pure services which are consumed instantaneously as they are produced

FMCG or consumer packaged goods (CPG) are products that are sold quickly and at relatively low cost, examples include non-durable goods such as soft drinks, toiletries, and grocery items. They generally sell in large quantities, so the cumulative profit on such products can be substantial and these industries often operate on thin margins.

Nondurable goods are consumed in less than three years and have short lifespans. Examples of nondurable goods include food and drinks.

The term FMCG refers to those retail goods that are generally replaced or fully used up over a short period of days, weeks, or months, and within one year. This contrasts with durable goods or major appliances such as kitchen appliances, which are generally replaced over a period of several years.

3. Consumer Services

The service industries involve the provision of services to businesses as well as final consumers. Such services include accounting, tradesman ship (like mechanic or plumber services), computer services, restaurants, tourism, etc. The service Industry is the one where no goods are produced. Consumer services refer to the formulation, reformulation, technical consulting, and testing of most consumer products, such as food, herbs, beverages, vitamins, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, hair products, household cleaners, paints, plastics, metals, waxes, coatings, minerals, ceramics, construction materials plus water, indoor air quality testing, non-medical forensic testing, and failure analysis. It involves services in a wide variety of fields such as biological, chemical, physical, engineering, and Web-based services. Services include auto repairs and haircuts.

Marketing of Consumer Goods

For marketing purposes, consumer goods can be grouped into different categories based on consumer behavior, how consumers shop for them, and how frequently consumers shop for them.

From a marketing standpoint, consumer goods can be grouped into four categories: convenience, shopping, specialty, and unsought goods. These categories are based on consumer buying patterns.

1. Convenience Goods

Convenience goods are those that are regularly consumed and are readily available for purchase. These goods are mostly sold by wholesalers and retailers and include items such as milk and tobacco products.

Convenience goods can be further segmented into staple convenience goods (fulfilling basic customer necessities) and impulse convenience goods (non-priority goods, such as cigarettes).

Examples of convenience products:

Newspapers and magazines
Most groceries and food items
Soft drinks and snack foods and candy bars
Tissues, headache tablets
Bread and milk, breakfast cereals
Toothpaste, soap, and shampoo
Cleaning products, dish-washing powder, detergents
Using an ATM
Cigarettes
Alcohol
Coffee, tea, and sugar
Fast food and takeaway meals
Pet food
Flowers
Fruit and vegetables
Regular medicines and vitamins

2. Shopping Goods

Shopping goods are those in which a purchase requires more thought and planning than with convenience goods.

Shopping goods are more expensive and have more durability and longer lifespans than convenience goods. Shopping goods include furniture and televisions.

Examples of shopping products:

Computers
Mobile phones
Entertainment equipment, such as an Xbox or PlayStation
Cameras
Household furniture
Washing machines and dishwashers
Clothing
Sports equipment
Kitchen utensils – plates, pots and pans
Choice of restaurants
Hotels and airlines
Luggage
Getting a pet
Joining a gym
Hairdresser and beautician
Car repairs
Plants for the yard
Perfumes and cosmetics
Running shoes
Everyday jewelry
Kid’s bicycles
Internet provider
Everyday home loans and credit cards
House repairs, paint, tools
Regular doctor and dentist

3. Specialty Consumer Goods

Specialty consumer goods are rare and often considered luxurious. The purchase of specialty goods is reserved for an elite class of shoppers with the financial means to conduct the purchase. Marketing efforts are geared to a niche market, usually the upper class. These products include furs and fine jewelry.

Examples of specialty products:

Architect designed house
An expensive car
Special jewelry
Planning a wedding
Wedding dress
Specialist sporting equipment
Specialist camping equipment
Specialist medical advice
Specialist professional advice – legal, financial
Home loans for specialist needs
Some types of computer software
Extensive international holiday

4. Unsought Consumer Goods

Unsought consumer goods are readily available but are purchased by a few members of the available market. These items are not usually purchased repeatedly and usually serve specific needs, such as life insurance.

Examples of unsought products:

Life insurance and funeral insurance
Additional warranties on product purchases
Encyclopedias
Charity donations
Some types of exercise equipment
Unusual products – perhaps as advertised on the TV shopping channel
Sometimes new technology (especially when first introduced to the market)
Raffle tickets
Fundraising events

5. Fast-Moving Consumer Goods

One of the largest consumer goods groups is called fast-moving consumer goods. This segment includes nondurable goods like food and drinks that move rapidly through the chain from producers to distributors and retailers than on to consumers.

Companies and retailers like this segment as it contains the fastest-moving consumer goods from stores, offering high shelf-space-turnover opportunities.

Some examples of FMCG: