Which of the following is a characteristic of the Decline Stage?

The Decline Stage of a product's life cycle is characterized by a reduction in demand and sales. In this stage, companies often face decreased market interest and competition, leading to a necessity to adjust their strategies accordingly. A key characteristic during this phase is a reduced marketing focus aimed at survival rather than growth or expansion. Businesses may concentrate on managing costs, maximizing cash flow, and exploring niche markets to sustain their presence in a declining industry.

The other options reflect strategies or conditions typical of earlier life cycle stages, such as growth or maturity, where businesses actively work to expand their market presence, enhance product offerings, and increase sales. For instance, increasing sales volume, expanding product features, and growing the number of retail outlets are signs of market vitality and competitive engagement, which do not align with the attributes of the Decline Stage.