BUSINESS TO CONSUMER (B2C)
Back to GlossaryDefinition
Commercial transactions where firms sell directly to individual consumers.
Summary
Business to Consumer (B2C) refers to the direct selling relationship between companies and individual end-users or consumers. Unlike B2B (business-to-business) transactions, B2C involves companies marketing and selling their products or services directly to people who will use them personally. This model encompasses both traditional retail stores and online e-commerce platforms, focusing on meeting individual consumer needs and preferences through targeted marketing, customer service, and user-friendly purchasing experiences.
Usage Context
Essential for understanding market segmentation, customer targeting strategies, sales funnel design, and digital marketing approaches in business and marketing courses.
Common Confusions
- Thinking that online companies are automatically B2C (some sell to businesses)
- Confusing B2C with retail (B2C can include services, not just products)
- Believing that B2C companies can't also have B2B operations
- Mixing up B2C with direct-to-consumer (DTC), which is more specific
