What are the types of obsolescence?

Before we take a close look at the types of obsolescence, let’s first take a quick look at the meaning of product obsolescence. Product obsolescence occurs when the desire of a product is no longer exists even if the product is still working. Even though planned obsolescence can be unsafe strategy because clients could possibly buy from competitors, marketers intentionally bring in obsolescence into their product strategy because they know that it drops the time between repeat purchases and then creates long-term sales volume.

Now, let’s look closely at the types of obsolescence:

1.    Technical or functional obsolescence
2.     Style obsolescence
3.     Intentional physical obsolescence
4.     Postponement obsolescence

 - Technical or functional obsolescence

When an old product replaced with new product because of new technology (e.g. Video Tape -> DVD, and DVD Player -> iPod) and the obsolete product does not have the same functions or capabilities as the new one.

- Style obsolescence

When the new style of a product makes the owner of the old model feel 'out of date' (e.g. Clothing, Cars, and Phones).

- Intentional physical obsolescence

When a product is designed to last for a specific lifetime (e.g. laptops, TVs, and iPods)

- Postponement obsolescence

When a company delays the introduction of new technological improvements (e.g. large software manufacturers that specialize in operating)

More:
http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Planned:obsolescence:business.htm
http://neohumanism.org/p/pl/planned_obsolescence.html#Technical%20or%20functional%20obsolescence

Added by: 

Saud Alsultan