Which stage of the product lifecycle is characterized by efforts to lower costs and maintain advertising?

The stage of the product lifecycle characterized by efforts to lower costs and maintain advertising is the maturity stage. During this phase, a product has typically reached its peak in terms of sales and market penetration. As competition intensifies, businesses often seek to enhance profit margins by reducing costs, which may include streamlining operations, finding more efficient production methods, or renegotiating supplier contracts.

Simultaneously, maintaining advertising efforts is crucial in the maturity stage to keep the product relevant and to defend against competitors. Companies may invest in brand loyalty campaigns and promotional strategies to maintain market share and discourage customers from switching to competing products. This dual focus on cost efficiency and sustained marketing efforts is essential in prolonging the product's life and profitability before it potentially heads into a decline phase.