As retirement age approaches, there is often a declaration period in the decline stage. Here many people face the prospect of having to accept reduced levels of power and responsibility and learn to accept and develop new roles as mentor and confidante for those who are younger. There is then probably retirement, after which the person hopefully finds alternative uses for the time and effort formerly expended on his or her occupation.
In marketing Decline stage is the PLC stage when a production’s sales fall off and profit drop.
The sales of most product forms and brands eventually dip. The decline may be slow, as in the cases of stamps and oatmeal cereal, or rapid, as in the cases of cassette and VHS tapes. Sales may plunge to zero, or they may drop to a low level where they continue for many years. This is the decline stage.