Why do companies want to collect information about consumers?

They have two main reasons, but it depends a lot on the nature of the business.

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One is to assess their sales by products, areas , customers' tastes and the like. This helps them plan ahead, especially if a chain wanting to establish a branch in a given area.

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The other, if they use on-line or text-message advertising, is more intrusive, and that is to direct advertising to you that is more closely aligned to what they think you will want. You may have noticed on some social sites, adverts that seems to know where, approximately, you live. It's a bit creepy but can be unintentionally amusing.

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Their methods vary but the big supermarket chains use their so-called "loyalty cards" and your credit-card transactions for this research.