New Balance Athletic Shoes target baby boomers' needs for well$-$fitting shoes. The company is unique in that it offers a very broad range of shoe widths. A realistic potential risk New Balance runs in this focused differentiation strategy includes the possibility that:

a$.$ a competitor may be able to better use flexible manufacturing systems to make shoes with an individualized fit.

b$.$ baby boomers may find that they do not need well$-$fitting shoes, because they will become increasingly sedentary as they age.

c$.$ New Balance shoes may begin to appeal to a wider market, thus losing New Balance's focus advantage.