Which metric would provide insights about consumer preferences?

Market research is a systematic approach to gathering, analyzing, and interpreting information about a market, including insights into consumer preferences. It helps businesses understand what consumers value, their purchasing habits, and their needs. Through various methods such as surveys, focus groups, and observational studies, market research provides detailed data that enable businesses to tailor their products and services in line with customer desires.

The other options, while important for overall business performance and strategy, do not specifically provide insights into consumer preferences. Sales revenue reflects the amount of money made from sales but does not reveal why consumers choose certain products. Cost analysis focuses on the costs associated with production and operational aspects, and profit margin indicates the financial health of a business rather than consumer choice. Therefore, market research stands out as the key metric for understanding consumer preferences.