A reputed cosmetic company in New York City added new product lines in order to increase its business. In other words, it __.
A) lengthened its existing product line
B) decreased its product line consistency
C) widened its product mix
D) engaged in market diversification
E) engaged in social marketing
The correct answer and explanation is :
The correct answer is:
C) Widened its product mix
Explanation:
A product mix (also called a product assortment) refers to the total range of products a company offers. It consists of multiple product lines, each containing related products. When a company adds new product lines—as in this case—it is expanding the breadth of its product mix rather than modifying an existing product line.
Why “C) Widened its product mix” is Correct:
By introducing new product lines, the company is expanding its variety of offerings. This allows it to target different customer segments, increase market share, and enhance revenue streams. For example, if the company previously sold only skincare products and now adds a makeup line, it has widened its product mix.
Why Other Options Are Incorrect:
- A) Lengthened its existing product line → Incorrect. Lengthening a product line means adding more variations or products within the same category. For example, if the company had a shampoo line and added more types of shampoos (like anti-dandruff or volumizing), it would be lengthening the product line. However, the question states that new product lines were added, not new products within the same line.
- B) Decreased its product line consistency → Incorrect. Product line consistency refers to how closely related product lines are. Adding new lines does not necessarily decrease consistency unless the new lines are unrelated to the existing ones.
- D) Engaged in market diversification → Incorrect. Market diversification involves entering new markets or industries. Simply expanding a product mix within the same industry is not diversification.
- E) Engaged in social marketing → Incorrect. Social marketing focuses on promoting social causes or behaviors for public good, which is not relevant in this context.
Thus, the best answer is C) Widened its product mix.