What does marketing focus on in relation to customer interactions?

Marketing primarily focuses on identifying and meeting customer needs because this approach emphasizes understanding the preferences, desires, and requirements of the target audience. By researching and gathering insights into what customers are looking for, businesses can tailor their products or services to satisfy those demands effectively. This customer-centric strategy fosters stronger relationships, enhances customer satisfaction, and can lead to increased loyalty, ultimately contributing to the long-term success of the business.

Other options, while relevant to different aspects of business strategy, do not capture the essence of marketing. For instance, maximizing costs and increasing prices could alienate customers if not paired with value creation. Limiting competition might be a goal in some contexts, but it does not address the fundamental marketing objective of understanding and fulfilling customer needs.