Which of the following best defines direct competition?

Direct competition refers to situations where businesses offer products or services that are either identical or very similar in nature, catering to the same customer needs. This type of competition typically occurs within the same industry, where companies strive to attract the same group of consumers.

For instance, if two brands sell smartphones with comparable features and pricing, they are in direct competition as customers may choose between them based on factors like brand loyalty, pricing, or specific features. This competition can drive innovation, lead to better pricing strategies, and ultimately benefit consumers by providing more options.

In contrast, the other provided options illustrate different business dynamics. Offering different services points to indirect competition, collaboration suggests a cooperative approach rather than competitive, and targeting different market segments indicates a lack of overlap in customer bases, making it a non-direct competitive scenario. Thus, the essence of direct competition lies in the overlap of product offerings and target customers.