In this article we will discuss the concept of Product Life Cycle (PLC) in Marketing Management and its various stages – Introduction stage ,Growth stage, Maturity and Decline stage.
Product Life Cycle of PLC – Marketing Management
A new product passes through set of stages known as product life cycle. Product life cycle applies to both brand and category of products. Its time period vary from product to product. Modern product life cycles are becoming shorter and shorter as products in mature stages are being renewed by market segmentation and product differentiation.
PLC Marketing Management – The theory of a product life cycle was first introduced in the 1950s to explain the expected life cycle of a typical product from design to obsolescence, a period divided into the phases of product introduction, product growth, maturity, and decline. The goal of managing a product’s life cycle is to maximize its value and profitability at each stage. Life cycle is primarily associated with marketing theory.
Marketing Management – Companies always attempt to maximize the profit and revenues over the entire life cycle of a product. In order to achieving the desired level of profit, the introduction of the new product at the proper time is crucial. If new product is appealing to consumer and no stiff competition is out there, company can charge high prices and earn high profits.
Staged of Product Life Cycle (PLC)
Stages of Product Life CycleProduct life cycle comprises four stages:
Introduction stage
Growth stage
Maturity stage
Decline stage
1. Introduction Stage
Product is introduced in the market with intention to build a clear identity and heavy promotion is done for maximum awareness. Before actual offering of the product to customers, product passes through product development, involves prototype and market tests. Companies incur more costs in this phase and also bear additional cost for distribution. On the other hand, there are a few customers at this stage, means low sales volume. So, during introductory stage company’s profits shows a negative figure because of huge cost but low sales volume.
At introduction stage, the company core focus is on establishing a market and arising demand for the product. So, the impact on marketing mix is as follows:
Product
Branding, Quality level and intellectual property and protections are obtained to stimulate consumers for the entire product category. Product is under more consideration, as first impression is the last impression.
Price
High(skim) pricing is used for making high profits with intention to cover initial cost in a short period and low pricing is used to penetrate and gain the market share. company choice of pricing strategy depends on their goals.
Place
Distribution at this stage is usually selective and scattered.
Promotion
At introductory stage, promotion is done with intention to build brand awareness. Samples/trials are provided that is fruitful in attracting early adopters and potential customers. Promotional programs are more essential in this phase. It is as much important as to produce the product because it positions the product.
2. Growth Stage
In this stage, company’s sales and profits starts increasing and competition also begin to increase. The product becomes well recognized at this stage and some of the buyers repeat the purchase patterns. During this stage, firms focus on brand preference and gaining market share. It is market acceptance stage. But due to competition, company invest more in advertisement to convince customers so profits may decline near the end of growth stage.
Affect on 4 P’s of marketing is as under:
Product
Along with maintaining the existing quality, new features and improvements in product quality may be done. All this is done to compete and maintain the market share.
Price
Price is maintained or may increase as company gets high demand at low competition or it may be reduced to grasp more customers.
Distribution
Distribution becomes more significant with the increase demand and acceptability of product. More channels are added for intensive distribution in order to meet increasing demand. On the other hand resellers start getting interested in the product, so trade discounts are also minimal.
Promotion
At growth stage, promotion is increased. When acceptability of product increases, more efforts are made for brand preference and loyalty.
3. Maturity Stage
At maturity stage, brand awareness is strong so sale continues to grow but at a declining rate as compared to past. At this stage, there are more competitors with the same products. So, companies defend the market share and extending product life cycle, rather than making the profits, By offering sales promotions to encourage retailer to give more shelf space to the product than that of competitors. At this stage usually loyal customers make purchases.
Marketing mix decisions include:
Product
At maturity stage, companies add features and modify the product in order to compete in market and differentiate the product from competition. At this stage, it is best way to get dominance over competitors and increase market share.
Price
Because of intense competition, at maturity stage, price is reduced in order to compete. It attracts the price conscious segment and retain the customers.
Distribution
New channels are added to face intense competition and incentives are offered to retailers to get shelf preference over competitors.
Promotion
Promotion is done in order to create product differentiation and loyalty. Incentives are also offered to attract more customers.
4. Decline Stage
Decline in sales, change in trends and unfavorable economic conditions explains decline stage. At this stage market becomes saturated so sales declines. It may also be due technical obsolescence or customer taste has been changed.
At decline stage company has three options:
- Maintain the product, Reduce cost and finding new uses of product.
- Harvest the product by reducing marketing cost and continue offering the product to loyal niche until zero profit.
- Discontinue the product when there’s no profit or a successor is available. Selling out to competitors who want to keep the product.
At declining stage, marketing mix decisions depends on company’s strategy. For example, if company want to harvest, the product will remain same and price will be reduced. In case of liquidation, supply will be reduced dramatically.
Limitations of Product Life Cycle (PLC)
Product life cycle is criticized that it has no empirical support and it is not fruitful in special cases. Different products have different properties so their life cycle also vary. It shows that product life cycle is not best tool to predict the sales. Sometimes managerial decisions affect the life of products in this case Product Life Cycle is not playing any role. product life cycle is very fruitful for larger firms and corporations but it is not hundred percent accurate tool to predict the life cycle and sales of products in all the situations.
Importance of Product Life Cycle
Product life cycle is an important tool for market forecasting, planning and control. Product life cycle is important in various ways. The situation of the product can be analyzed properly and changes can be made in order to increase profit. Some other important features are −
- Helpful in formulating a proper product policy, production and pricing.
- Helpful in modifying the marketing policy.
- Helpful to the marketer regarding competition.
- Cautions the management about the decline stage of the product.
Product Life Cycle Examples
It’s possible to provide examples of various products to illustrate the different stages of the product life cycle more clearly. Here is the example of watching recorded television and the various stages of each method:
1.Introduction – 3D TVs;
2.Growth – Blueray discs/DVR;
3.Maturity – DVD;
4.Decline – Video cassette
The idea of the product life cycle has been around for some time, and it is an important principle manufacturers need to understand in order to make a profit and stay in business.
However, the key to successful manufacturing is not just understanding this life cycle, but also proactively managing products throughout their lifetime, applying the appropriate resources and sales and marketing strategies, depending on what stage products are at in the cycle.
Concluded about Product Life Cycle (PLC) in Marketing Management and its various stages – Introduction stage ,Growth stage, Maturity and Decline stage.
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