End-of-sale
Also known as: EOS
End-of-sale status means that sales of the named product have stopped. Production has ceased and the manufacturer has probably replaced the product with an improved version by now. All marketing activities are focused on the product's successors.
Discontinuing sales is a logical step in the product life cycle. Manufacturers who want to innovate want to be able to focus on new products at some point. It is possible that only a few copies are still temporarily available through a limited number of channels. This is purely because some stock still exists somewhere in the distribution chain.
In principle, discontinuing sales does not affect current owners of the product. The manufacturer continues to support the product in the form of warranty and service. It will also ensure that sufficient spare parts remain available for users. Only when the end-of-life status is declared can product support change.
Although reaching end-of-sale status has no practical consequences for users, the focus on improved successors to a product can be a reason to proceed with replacement earlier than when the product is actually discarded.
