Consumer:
* General term: Refers to anyone who uses goods or services.
* Focus on the act of consumption: Emphasizes the act of using or purchasing goods or services.
* Broader scope: Can encompass individuals, businesses, or even governments.
Customer:
* More specific term: Refers to someone who purchases goods or services from a specific business or organization.
* Focus on the relationship with a specific business: Emphasizes the interaction between the customer and the business.
* Narrower scope: Usually refers to individuals or businesses that have a direct transaction with a particular company.
Here's an example:
* Consumer: Everyone who uses electricity is a consumer of electricity.
* Customer: Someone who pays their electricity bill to a specific company like Exelon is a customer of Exelon.
In summary:
* Consumer is a broader term for anyone who uses a product or service.
* Customer is a more specific term for someone who buys from a particular business.
While the terms are often used interchangeably, using "customer" can be more precise and helps emphasize the relationship between the buyer and the seller.