[2] This tactic is more direct than simply advertising on the basis that everyone is a potential consumer; while this may be true, it does not capitalize on the increased returns that more focused marketing can generate.
[3] Traditional demographic profiling involves gathering information on large groups of people in order to identify common trends,[4][unreliable source?]
These trends can be identified by analyzing data gained through surveys, censuses, in-store purchase information, records, registries, and so on.
[6] Historically, a census has been the most important tool when it comes to tracking demographic data such as population, births, deaths, and relationship status.
Even though the US Census is the most relied-on tool for collecting this information, it still has its flaws, such as overcount and undercount, which have caused controversy in previous years.
Within this programme, the shopper is greeted by a virtual attendant who knows them by name and suggests an array of suitable clothing options based on their past purchases.