Which of the following is a component of a demand profile?

A demand profile is a representation of the demand pattern for a product over time, and it includes various components that help in understanding how demand fluctuates. Seasonal variation is crucial in this context as it captures the predictable fluctuations in demand that can occur at specific times in a year, such as increased sales of winter clothing during winter months or holiday shopping peaks.

Including seasonal variation in a demand profile allows businesses to better anticipate and plan for these fluctuations, aligning their production and inventory management strategies accordingly. It helps in making informed decisions about staffing, stock levels, and logistical support during peak demand periods, ultimately leading to improved customer satisfaction and resource optimization.

The other components mentioned, such as mean absolute variation, average variation, and standard deviation, while related to variations in demand, do not specifically encapsulate the recurring, predictable nature of demand changes due to seasons. Thus, they do not fit as a primary component of a demand profile in the same way seasonal variation does.