Which sequence lists the stages of the Product Life Cycle?

• A. Introduction, growth, maturity, decline
• B. Mass production, batch production, continuous production, JIT
• C. Start, develop, peak, finish
• D. Seed, sprout, blossom, wilt

Answer: (A)

The product life cycle tracks how a product performs in the market from launch to withdrawal, moving through four stages. The sequence starts with Introduction, where awareness is built and sales grow slowly; profits may be negative as costs are high and the product is new. Then comes Growth, with rapid sales increases and improving profits as more customers adopt the product. Next is Maturity, where sales peak or level off, the market becomes saturated, and competition intensifies, often squeezing profits. Finally, Decline occurs as demand falls, sales drop, and the product may be phased out or replaced.

This order—Introduction, Growth, Maturity, Decline—is the standard lifecycle for products, which is why it’s the best fit. Other sequences refer to different ideas, like production methods or vague life stages, and don’t describe how a product behaves in the market over time.