Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2025

First exams 2027

Mass Markets & Niche Markets (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Business): Revision Note

Exam code: 0450, 0986 & 0264, 0774

Lisa Eades

Written by: Lisa Eades

Reviewed by: Steve Vorster

Updated on

Mass markets

  • In mass markets, products are aimed at broad  market segments

    • Mass marketing occurs when businesses sell their products to most of the available market 

    • Production usually happens on a large scale

    • Products are generally standardised with little differentiation

Examples of mass market brands

Box of Kellogg's Corn Flakes, red Gap hoodie, and can of Heinz Baked Beans, 415g, displayed side by side on a white background.
Mass market products are aimed at large groups of customers with similar needs

Evaluating mass markets

Advantages

Disadvantages

  • Mass production allows the business to benefit from economies of scale, reducing average costs

  • Lower prices make products more affordable, leading to higher sales volumes

  • The business can target a large customer base, increasing the chance of strong demand

  • Mass marketing methods (e.g. TV, social media) allow efficient promotion to a wide audience

  • Products are often less unique, as they are designed to appeal to a wide audience

  • High levels of competition can make it difficult to stand out and often force prices down

  • Profit margins are lower, as prices are often kept low to attract mass market buyers

Niche markets

  • In niche markets, products are aimed at a small subset of the larger market, e.g. gluten-free products

    • Niche marketing occurs when businesses identify and satisfy the demands of a small group of consumers within the wider market

    • Production usually happens on a small scale

    • Products may be made to order or produced with very specific customer needs in mind

Examples of niche market brands

Neutrogena T/Gel shampoo, corded phone with large buttons, and Rummo gluten-free mezzi rigatoni pasta package placed side by side.
Niche product include specialist haircare, adapted technology such as phones and gluten-free food
  • Some niche markets become mass markets as large businesses start to realise the potential for growth

    • For example, energy drinks started out as ‘niche products’ aimed at fitness enthusiasts, but as prices have fallen and more choices are available, they have become mass-market products 

Evaluating niche markets

Advantages

Disadvantages

  • Products are highly specialised and unique, meeting the specific needs of a smaller customer group

  • The business can develop expert knowledge and a strong reputation within its chosen market

  • Customers are often willing to pay premium prices, leading to higher profit margins

  • Less direct competition means it's easier to build customer loyalty and brand recognition

  • Higher production costs due to smaller scale and limited demand

  • Businesses do not benefit from economies of scale, which can make pricing less competitive

  • Sales volumes are lower, as products may be less affordable and appeal to fewer people

  • The business may become too dependent on one product or market, increasing risk

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Avoid vague definitions – show understanding by linking each to advantages and disadvantages, e.g. mass markets spread risk but face intense competition, while niche markets face less competition but limited demand

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Lisa Eades

Author: Lisa Eades

Expertise: Business Content Creator

Lisa has taught A Level, GCSE, BTEC and IBDP Business for over 20 years and is a senior Examiner for Edexcel. Lisa has been a successful Head of Department in Kent and has offered private Business tuition to students across the UK. Lisa loves to create imaginative and accessible resources which engage learners and build their passion for the subject.

Steve Vorster

Reviewer: Steve Vorster

Expertise: Economics & Business Subject Lead

Steve has taught A Level, GCSE, IGCSE Business and Economics - as well as IBDP Economics and Business Management. He is an IBDP Examiner and IGCSE textbook author. His students regularly achieve 90-100% in their final exams. Steve has been the Assistant Head of Sixth Form for a school in Devon, and Head of Economics at the world's largest International school in Singapore. He loves to create resources which speed up student learning and are easily accessible by all.