Final answer:
In product positioning, the true statement is that consumers tend to position products in their minds to simplify the buying process(option d). Product positioning is central to marketing strategies and consumer decision-making, and not just based on the number of competitors or solely influenced by marketers.
Step-by-step explanation:
The question regards product positioning, which is an essential concept in marketing. Among the provided options, the statement that is true of product positioning is: D) To simplify the buying process, consumers are likely to position products in their minds. This is because consumers use product positioning to categorize and simplify information about products, which helps them make quicker and more efficient purchasing decisions. Product positioning plays a significant role in marketing strategies as it influences how a product is perceived within the market in relation to competitors and consumer needs.
Contrary to option A, a product's position is not solely defined by the number of competitors but by how the product is differentiated and the value it offers to consumers. Option B is incorrect as product positioning greatly influences the design of marketing mixes, tailoring them to fit the perceived position of the product in the consumer's mind. As for option C, while consumers may sometimes reevaluate products, they often rely on existing positions they have assigned to simplify decision-making. Lastly, option E is incorrect as consumers can and do position products themselves, although marketers aim to influence this process through branding and marketing efforts.