That seems absurd. People often have no idea that a product would be useful or desirable beforehand. Perhaps our current level of consumer choice is somewhat absurd, but that brings you to a Soviet style system.

It's fascinating that this was downvoted. What the comment above is suggesting is literally a planned economy.

How would these "consumer groups" even work? Would they be democratically elected? Appointed by governments? How would they be insulated from pressure from companies trying to suppress competition? It would inevitably lead to a thoroughly inefficient and corrupt system...

People who come up with these ideas think that the 'groups' would be filled with like minded people like themselves when in reality it would be the opposite.