22 Lecture

MGT301

Midterm & Final Term Short Notes

Product Life- Cycle Stages and Strategies

Product life cycle (PLC) refers to the stages a product goes through from introduction to decline. The stages are introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. Each stage requires different marketing strategies to maximize the product's success.


Important Mcq's
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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  1. Which of the following is NOT a stage in the product life cycle? a) Pre-launch b) Introduction c) Growth d) Maturity e) Decline

Answer: a) Pre-launch

  1. During which stage of the product life cycle is demand typically low? a) Introduction b) Growth c) Maturity d) Decline

Answer: a) Introduction

  1. Which of the following is a characteristic of the maturity stage of the product life cycle? a) High profits b) Low competition c) Low sales growth d) High marketing expenditures

Answer: c) Low sales growth

  1. What is the primary objective during the growth stage of the product life cycle? a) Maximize profits b) Build brand loyalty c) Increase market share d) Reduce costs

Answer: c) Increase market share

  1. What is the primary focus during the decline stage of the product life cycle? a) Maintain market share b) Maximize profits c) Build brand loyalty d) Increase marketing expenditures

Answer: b) Maximize profits

  1. Which of the following is an example of a product in the decline stage of the product life cycle? a) Smartphones b) Vinyl records c) Electric cars d) Organic food

Answer: b) Vinyl records

  1. During which stage of the product life cycle is the product typically priced highest? a) Introduction b) Growth c) Maturity d) Decline

Answer: a) Introduction

  1. What is the primary objective during the introduction stage of the product life cycle? a) Maximize profits b) Build brand loyalty c) Increase market share d) Create awareness

Answer: d) Create awareness

  1. Which of the following is a strategy used during the maturity stage of the product life cycle? a) Aggressive advertising b) Price reductions c) Product differentiation d) Limited distribution

Answer: b) Price reductions

  1. Which of the following is an example of a product in the growth stage of the product life cycle? a) VCRs b) Typewriters c) Smartwatches d) Cassette tapes

Answer: c) Smartwatches



Subjective Short Notes
Midterm & Finalterm Prepration
Past papers included

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  1. What are the four stages of the product life cycle? Answer: The four stages of the product life cycle are introduction, growth, maturity, and decline.

  2. What is the primary goal of the introduction stage? Answer: The primary goal of the introduction stage is to create awareness and generate interest in the new product.

  3. What are some common characteristics of the growth stage? Answer: During the growth stage, sales and profits increase rapidly as the product gains market acceptance. Competition may also increase as other companies try to enter the market.

  4. What are some common strategies used during the maturity stage? Answer: Strategies used during the maturity stage may include price reductions, product differentiation, and increased marketing efforts.

  5. How can companies extend the life of a product in the decline stage? Answer: Companies can extend the life of a product in the decline stage by reducing costs, finding new uses for the product, or targeting new markets.

  6. What are some potential risks of extending a product's life beyond its natural life cycle? Answer: Some potential risks of extending a product's life beyond its natural life cycle include decreased profitability and increased competition from newer, more innovative products.

  7. What are some advantages of being a first mover in a new product category? Answer: Advantages of being a first mover in a new product category may include higher profits, increased market share, and the ability to establish brand recognition.

  8. What are some disadvantages of being a first mover in a new product category? Answer: Disadvantages of being a first mover in a new product category may include higher costs associated with research and development, marketing, and establishing distribution channels.

  9. What are some strategies for revitalizing a product in the maturity stage? Answer: Strategies for revitalizing a product in the maturity stage may include updating the product's design, improving product features, or targeting new customer segments.

  10. How can a company determine when it's time to phase out a product? Answer: A company may determine it's time to phase out a product by evaluating its sales performance, profitability, and potential for future growth. Other factors may include changes in customer preferences or the emergence of new, more innovative products.

The product life cycle is a concept that describes the stages a product goes through from its introduction to its eventual decline. Understanding the product life cycle is important for businesses to effectively manage their products and make strategic decisions to ensure long-term success. The four stages of the product life cycle are introduction, growth, maturity, and decline. During the introduction stage, the primary goal is to create awareness and generate interest in the new product. Companies may use advertising, public relations, and other promotional activities to increase awareness and build demand. In the growth stage, sales and profits increase rapidly as the product gains market acceptance. During this stage, competition may also increase as other companies try to enter the market. Companies may use pricing strategies, such as penetration pricing or skimming pricing, to capture market share. During the maturity stage, sales growth begins to slow down as the product reaches its peak level of demand. At this point, companies may focus on product differentiation, reducing costs, and increasing marketing efforts to maintain market share. In the decline stage, sales and profits begin to decline as the product reaches the end of its life cycle. Companies may use strategies to extend the product's life, such as finding new uses for the product or targeting new markets. However, eventually, it may be necessary to phase out the product and focus on developing new products. Effective product life cycle management requires companies to monitor and evaluate their products' performance and make strategic decisions to ensure long-term success. By understanding the product life cycle stages and implementing appropriate strategies, companies can maximize their profits and maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.