VALS-2 Segment Characteristics


Segment Lifestyle Characteristics Psychological Characteristics Consumer Characteristics
Innovators

(8% of pop.)

Successful, sophisticated
Value personal growth
Wide intellectual interests
Varied leisure activities
Well informed, concerned with social issues
Highly social
Politically very active
Optimistic
Self-confident
Involved
Outgoing
Growth oriented
Open to change
<established & emerging leaders in business & government>
Enjoy the "finer things"
Receptive to new products, technologies, distribution.
Skeptical of advertising
Frequent readers of a wide variety of publications
Light TV viewers
Thinkers

(11% of pop.)

Moderately active in community and politics
Leisure centers on home
Value education & travel
Health conscious
Politically moderate and tolerant
Mature
Satisfied
Reflective
Open-minded
Intrinsically motivated
Value order, knowledge, and responsibility
Little interest in image or prestige
Above average consumers of products for the home
Like educational and public affairs programming on TV
Read widely and often
Look for value & durability
Achievers

(13% of pop.)

Lives center on career & famly
Have formal social relations
Avoid excess change or stimulation
May emphasize work at the expense of recreation
Politically conservative
Moderate
Goal oriented
Conventional
Deliberate
In control
Attracted to premium products
Prime target for a variety of products
Average TV watchers
Read business, news, and self-help publications
Experiencers

(12% of pop.)

Like the new, offbeat, and risky
Like exercise, socializing, sports, and outdoors
Concerned about image
Unconforming, but admire wealth, power, and fame
Politically apathetic
Extraverted
Unconventional
Active
Impetuous
Energetic
Enthusiastic and impulsive
Follow fashion and fads
Spend much of disposable income on socializing
Buy on impulse
Attend to advertising
Listen to rock music
Believers

(16% of pop.)

Respect rules and trust authority figures
Enjoy settled, comfortable, predictable existence
Socialize within family and established groups
Politically conservative
Reasonably well informed
Traditional
Conforming
Cautious
Moralistic
Settled
Buy American
Slow to change habits
Look for bargains
Watch TV more than average
Read retirement, home and garden, and general interest magazines

Segment Lifestyle Characteristics Psychological Characteristics Consumer Characteristics
Strivers

(13% of pop.)

Narrow interests
Easily bored
Somewhat isolated
Look to peer group for motivation and approval
Unconcerned about health and nutrition
Politically apathetic
Dissatisfied
Unsure
Alienated
Impulsive
Approval seeking
Image conscious
Limited discretionary income, but carry credit balances
Spend on clothing and personal care products
Prefer TV to reading
Makers

(13% of pop.)

Enjoy outdoors
Prefer "hands on" activities
Spend leisure with family and close friends
Avoid joining organizations except unions
Distrust politicians, foreigners, and big business
Practical
Self-sufficient
Constructive
Committed
Satisfied
Shop for comfort, durability, value
Unimpressed by luxuries
Buy the basics
Listen to radio
Read auto, home mechanics, fishing, outdoors magazines
Survivors

(14% of pop.)

Limited interests and activities
Prime concerns are safety and security
Burdened with health problems
Conservative and traditional
Rely on organized religion
Powerless
Narrowly focused
Risk averse
Burdened
Conservative
Brand loyal
Use coupons and watch for sales
Trust advertising
Watch TV often
Read tabloids and women's magazines

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