Final answer:
The bases of differentiation that may be difficult/costly to imitate include having strong relationships with suppliers and distributors, offering products that can be customized to meet the specific needs of customers, and offering products that are complex and difficult to replicate.
Step-by-step explanation:
The bases of differentiation that may be difficult/costly to imitate include having strong relationships with suppliers and distributors, offering products that can be customized to meet the specific needs of customers, and offering products that are complex and difficult to replicate. These bases of differentiation give a company a competitive advantage by making it harder for other firms to copy their strategies and offerings. When a company has strong relationships with suppliers and distributors, it can ensure reliable and timely delivery of products. Offering customizable products gives customers a unique and personalized experience, making it harder for competitors to replicate. Finally, offering complex and difficult-to-replicate products can require specialized knowledge, technology, and production capabilities that competitors may struggle to match.