Social classes
Social classes are defined as groups more or less homogenous and ranked against each other according to a form of social hierarchy. Even if it very large groups, we usually find similar values, lifestyles, interests and behaviors in individuals belonging to the same social class. Every society possesses some form of social class which is important to the marketers because the buying behavior of people in a given social class is similar. In this way marketing activities could be tailored according to different social classes. Some studies have also suggested that the social perception of a brand or a retailer is playing a role in the behavior and purchasing decisions of consumers. In addition, the consumer buying behavior may also change according to social class. A consumer from the lower class will be more focused on price. While a shopper from the upper class will be more attracted to elements such as quality, innovation, features, or even the social benefit that he can obtain from the product.
Cultural trends
Cultural trends or Bandwagon effect are defined as trends widely followed by people and which are amplified by their mere popularity and by conformity or compliance with social pressure. The more people follow a trend, the more others will want to follow it. For example, Facebook has become a cultural trend. The social network has widely grew to the point of becoming a must have, especially among young people. It is the same with the growth of the tablet market. Tablets such as i-Pad or Galaxy Tabm have become a global cultural trend leading many consumers to buy one.
Social Factors
It includes groups (reference groups, aspirational groups and member groups), family, roles and status. This explains the outside influences of others on our purchase decisions either directly or indirectly. Social factors are among the factors influencing consumer behavior significantly. They fall into three categories: reference groups, family and social roles and status.