Final answer:
The first stage of the retail life cycle is the introduction stage, where a new product or service is introduced to the market and consumers become aware of its existence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The first stage of the retail life cycle is the introduction stage. The first stage of the retail life cycle is the introduction stage, where a new product or service is introduced to the market and consumers become aware of its existence. In this stage, a new product or service is introduced to the market and consumers become aware of its existence.
This stage is characterized by slow growth and limited market share. An example of this stage could be the launch of a new smartphone model, where the company starts advertising and promoting the product to create buzz and attract initial customers.