What aspect does market research often focus on?

Market research is primarily concerned with understanding the target market and consumer needs. This area of focus is crucial as it involves gathering information about potential customers, their preferences, behaviors, and the overall market environment. By identifying the characteristics of a target market, businesses can tailor their products and services to better meet consumer demands, ultimately improving customer satisfaction and driving sales.

Effective market research provides insights into various aspects such as demographics, purchasing habits, and consumer pain points, which help businesses to strategize their marketing efforts effectively. Understanding what the target audience values enables companies to position themselves appropriately in the marketplace and adapt their offerings to fit consumer needs.

The other options do not encompass the broad, consumer-focused scope that market research aims to cover. While product pricing, employee productivity, and internal policies may be important elements for a business, they do not represent the core focus of market research, which is primarily about understanding and responding to consumer expectations and market trends.