What does the term "perishable" imply in service characteristics?

The term "perishable" in the context of service characteristics indicates that services cannot be reused once they have been provided to a customer. This inherent quality of services means that once a service has been delivered—such as a haircut, a meal at a restaurant, or a ticket to a concert—it is consumed at that moment and cannot be retained for future use or sold later. This characteristic distinguishes services from physical goods, which can be stored and resold at a later time.

Understanding this concept is crucial for businesses in service industries because it affects how they manage capacity, customer demand, and scheduling. Since services are perishable and must be consumed at the time they are offered, organizations must effectively manage the timing of service delivery to maximize their utilization and reduce waste.