Lifestyle
In marketing the term lifestyle refers to differences in interests and activities between consumers. From the point of view of tourism and hospitality related businesses, lifestyle determines how much time a person has to spend on a vacation and how they tend to spend it. Lifestyle tells who we are in our society and therefore it may give a hint of a person’s consumption habits. People who have similar economic backgrounds and social status usually also have consumption habits that are alike. (Solomon 2013, 494.) Studies show that similarities can be found within each social class. These characteristic patterns can work as guidelines to marketers when defining target markets and convenient advertisement methods. Identifying the lifestyle of the target group will also give more elaborate information about the consumer’s thoughts, motives and feelings than just basic demographic data. ( Fox all 1994, 163-165.)In Russia the lifestyle of people is strongly related to the size of their income. The middle class has been growing since the 1990’s and today it consists of35% of the population. In the rising young middle class, the signs of individualization and a positive feeling towards a European lifestyle with high technology and luxury products can be seen. Still, it is noticeable that lifestyle-based brand orientation is just beginning to emerge in Russia and most consumers there still consider brands as pure status symbols. Travelling is common amongst the upper middle class and it is also very consuming-oriented. The wealthier tend to do longer work and vacation trips than the others and are surer to stay overnight. They are also more ready to do expensive purchases. The security and close-to-nature atmosphere appeal in Finland, but wealthier people are not completely satisfied with the range of services offered.