Which term describes the stage of the product life cycle characterized by slower growth and approaching saturation?

• A. Introduction
• B. Growth
• C. Maturity
• D. Decline

Answer: (C)

Understanding how a product moves through its life cycle helps explain why growth slows as the market becomes saturated. The stage described—growth slowing and nearing saturation—maps to the maturity phase. In maturity, most potential buyers have already adopted the product, so sales growth levels off and may even plateau. Competition is often intense, which can squeeze margins and push firms to defend share through promotions, price adjustments, and product improvements or line extensions. This differs from the introduction stage, where sales are just starting and growth is slow; from the growth stage, where sales rise rapidly; and from the decline stage, where sales are shrinking.