What distinguishes push marketing from pull marketing?

The distinction between push marketing and pull marketing fundamentally revolves around the direction of the marketing effort and the target audience for the promotions.

In push marketing, the strategy is primarily focused on pushing products through the distribution channels to the end consumers. This involves actively promoting the products to retailers or wholesalers, encouraging them to stock the products, and ultimately leading consumers to purchase them. The essence of push marketing is about taking the product to the customer rather than waiting for customers to come to the product.

On the other hand, pull marketing is about creating consumer demand that encourages retailers to stock the product. This approach involves strategies aimed at end consumers through various forms of advertising and promotions, motivating them to seek out and seek recommendations for the product. When they express a desire for the product, retailers respond by stocking it to meet that demand.

Thus, the focus of push marketing is on targeting the supply chain and distribution channels (like retailers), whereas pull marketing emphasizes creating demand among consumers. This clear differentiation supports the answer that highlights the specific targets of push and pull marketing strategies.