In the nineteenth century, one group that represented a reliable source of demand was the growing middle class, who had increasing purchasing power and were able to buy more goods and services than ever before. The rise of industrialization and urbanization also contributed to the growth of the middle class, as more people were able to find work in factories and cities. As a result, businesses began to focus more on producing goods for the middle class, leading to the development of new industries and an expansion of the consumer market.