Final answer:
A business faces economic consequences when a customer leaves due to higher costs in acquiring new customers versus retaining existing ones, and potential increased loyalty towards competitors, making customer retention crucial for sustainability.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main reason a business suffers several economic consequences when a dissatisfied customer leaves is that the cost of attracting a new customer is greater than retaining a current customer (option D). This principle reflects not only the direct costs associated with marketing and sales efforts to acquire new customers but also the potential loss of revenue and profitability connected to the word-of-mouth and repeat business that satisfied customers can provide.
When a customer departs due to dissatisfaction, this can also lead to increased customer loyalty for competitors, as dissatisfied customers may seek out alternative providers. Moreover, the initial investment made in developing the product for the dissatisfied customer becomes a sunk cost, which is a secondary concern compared to the ongoing loss of potential revenue.
Therefore, investment in customer service and satisfaction becomes paramount in avoiding such economic pitfalls and maintaining a healthy customer base, which is more cost-effective and contributes to long-term business sustainability.