What does the core product refer to in marketing?

The core product refers to the fundamental benefit or value that a customer gains from a product or service. This concept goes beyond the physical attributes and touches on the essential reason why a customer would purchase the product in the first place. For instance, when someone buys a drill, the core product isn’t the drill itself, but the ability to make holes in various materials.

By focusing on the main benefits the product provides, marketers can better align their messaging and product offerings with customer needs and desires. Understanding the core product enables businesses to identify their competitive advantages and to innovate effectively, ultimately driving customer satisfaction and loyalty.

In contrast, while the physical entity or service offered (the first option) is indeed part of what customers receive, it does not capture the deeper value proposition that the core product embodies. Similarly, long-lasting or expensive products (the third option) and products consumed in a few uses (the fourth option) relate more to categorizations based on durability and usage rather than the intrinsic benefits that define the core product.