What could be a consequence for businesses due to fashion trends having short shelf-lives?

Fashion trends often change rapidly, which requires businesses to adapt quickly to maintain their relevance in the market. As trends have short shelf-lives, companies must continually research and develop new products to align with the latest styles and consumer preferences. This dynamic environment drives businesses to invest more heavily in research and development, leading to higher expenses. Continuous innovation and product updates are essential to not only capture consumer interest but also to compete effectively with other brands that are also trying to keep pace with trends.

In contrast, fewer design changes or increased market stability wouldn't align with the nature of fast-changing fashion trends. A focus on consistency in product lines is less viable in such an environment where variety and novelty are essential to attract consumers. Additionally, while consumer feedback is always valuable, the pressure to keep up with changing trends might lead some companies to prioritize trend analysis and market research over direct consumer input. Thus, the need for heightened research and development is a natural consequence of the fast-paced fashion industry.