Which stage of the product life cycle is characterized by a decrease in sales and profitability?

The stage of the product life cycle characterized by a decrease in sales and profitability is the decline stage. During this phase, a product faces reduced consumer interest, often due to factors such as market saturation, technological advancements leading to newer alternatives, or changes in consumer preferences. As a result, sales volumes drop, which directly impacts profitability. Businesses may need to make strategic decisions such as reducing prices, cutting back on marketing expenses, or considering the discontinuation of the product to manage the financial implications of this declining performance.

In contrast, the introduction stage focuses on launching the product and establishing a market presence, while the growth stage is characterized by increasing sales and profitability as the product gains traction. The maturity stage sees sales stabilizing at a high level before eventually leading into the decline phase; however, it does not inherently involve decreased sales.