In competitive markets, the competitive pressures from substitute products tend to be weaker when:

• A. substitute products are widely available and accessible
• B. the substitutes are significantly different in terms of price or quality
• C. consumers can easily switch between substitute products at no cost
• D. the substitutes offer similar features and benefits as the original product

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of substitute products in competitive markets: substitutes are products that can replace each other in consumption, affecting the demand for each other.
2. Recognize that competitive pressure from substitutes is stronger when consumers can easily switch between products without cost, and when substitutes are similar in price and quality.
3. Analyze the condition when substitutes are significantly different in terms of price or quality: this difference reduces the likelihood that consumers will switch, weakening competitive pressure.
4. Consider that if substitutes are widely available and accessible, or offer similar features and benefits, competitive pressure tends to be stronger, not weaker.
5. Conclude that competitive pressures from substitute products tend to be weaker when the substitutes differ significantly in price or quality, making consumers less inclined to switch.