Final answer:
Target marketing involves customizing the marketing mix to meet the specific needs of a particular customer group, leveraging product differentiation and monopolistic competition to cater to diverse consumer preferences rather than assuming uniform needs across the market. The correct option is A.
Step-by-step explanation:
In contrast to mass marketing, target marketing tailors a marketing mix to fit some specific group of customers. Unlike mass marketing, which assumes a broad audience with similar needs, target marketing allows businesses to focus on a particular segment of the market, offering products and services that cater specifically to the needs and preferences of that group.
This approach is based on the concept of product differentiation and monopolistic competition, where companies create a variety of products to meet the diverse needs of consumers.
Target marketing helps businesses stand out in a crowded marketplace and can lead to a competitive advantage, although it doesn't inherently increase the likelihood of facing direct competition. It's more about serving a specific segment effectively rather than assuming all customers have identical needs or ignoring potential competition.