When do competitive pressures from substitutes tend to diminish?

Competitive pressures from substitutes tend to diminish when buyers incur costs for switching. This is because when switching costs are high, customers are less likely to change from one product or service to another, even if they have alternatives available. The associated costs—whether financial, time-related, effort-based, or emotional—act as a barrier that locks consumers into their current choice, thereby reducing competitive pressure that substitutes would otherwise exert.

In a scenario where switching costs are low, customers can easily transition to substitutes, and this creates intense competition. Conversely, when buyers face significant switching costs, businesses can maintain customer loyalty, potentially allowing them to focus on quality and price without the threat of losing customers to alternatives. Thus, the overall impact is that competitive pressures from substitutes are diminished when buyers face hurdles in making a switch.