Final answer:
The weakness of a differentiation strategy involves the difficulty and high cost of creating a brand reputation that can compete with established brands through significant marketing and advertising efforts.
Step-by-step explanation:
A weakness of a differentiation strategy is the significant challenge associated with creating a recognizable brand name and marketing effort that can compete against established brands. For example, taking on giants like Coca-Cola or Pepsi requires not only producing a comparable product but also achieving a level of brand recognition and customer perceived demand that can rival these incumbents. This can be an enormous and costly task given the extensive advertising and customer loyalty that top brands have accrued over time. Furthermore, differentiation may lead to a focus on a narrow range of products, potentially limiting a company's market reach compared to firms with a broader product portfolio.