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Distribution Channels

Distribution channels involve intermediaries that make products available for consumption. Key decisions include choosing channel members and managing conflicts between members. Distribution activities include physically moving products and establishing relationships to support movement. Effective channels balance member tasks, cooperation, and market goals. Vertical systems integrate producers, wholesalers and retailers to act as a unified system. Logistics involves planning, implementing and controlling physical flows to meet customer needs profitably.

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12K views

Distribution Channels

Distribution channels involve intermediaries that make products available for consumption. Key decisions include choosing channel members and managing conflicts between members. Distribution activities include physically moving products and establishing relationships to support movement. Effective channels balance member tasks, cooperation, and market goals. Vertical systems integrate producers, wholesalers and retailers to act as a unified system. Logistics involves planning, implementing and controlling physical flows to meet customer needs profitably.

Uploaded by

api-3793009
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Distribution Channels

Distribution Channels
 A set of interdependent organizations
(intermediaries) involved in the process of
making a product or service available for
use or consumption.

 Channel decisions
 affect other marketing decisions
 involve long-term commitments
The Role of Distribution Activities
in Marketing
 Distribution

Physically moving products and establishing
intermediary relationships to support such
movement.
 Physical Distribution (Logistics)

The activities of distribution involved in the
physical relocation of products.
 Channel of Distribution

The system of relationships established to
guide the movement of a product.
Distr ibution C hannel
Functions
Information

Transfer
Communication

Payments
Negotiation
Physical
Distribution
Ordering

Risk Taking
Financing
Consumer Marketing Channels
Add another level -> Mail order (telephone, internet), this will be also 1-level

0-level channel
Manufacturer Consumer

1-level channel
Manufacturer Retailer → Consumer

2-level channel
Mfg → Wholesaler Retailer → Consumer

3-level channel
Mfg → Wholesaler→ Jobber → Retailer → Consumer
Manufacturer Industrial Marketing Channels

Industrial

Consumer
distributors

Manufacturer’s
representative

Manufacturer’s
sales branch
Structuring a Distribution Channel
 Important Factors in Building a Distribution
Channel
 Costs associated with establishing a direct
channel distribution
 Coverage is increased through the use of
indirect channels of distribution.

Control is enhanced using a direct distribution
channel.
Channel Behavior and Conflict
 The channel will be most effective when:

each member is assigned tasks it can do best.
 all members cooperate to attain overall channel goals

and satisfy the target market.

 Focus on individual goals leads to conflict



Horizontal Conflict occurs among firms at the same
level of the channel.

Vertical Conflict occurs between different levels of the
same channel.
Vertical Marketing System

 A distribution channel structure in which


producers, wholesalers, and retailers act
as a unified system.

 One channel member owns the other, has


contracts with them, or has so much
power that they all cooperate.
Types of Vertical Marketing Systems
Corporate
Common Ownership at Different
Levels of the Channel

Administered
Leadership is Assumed by One or
a Few Dominant Members

Contractual
Contractual Agreement Among
Channel Members
Conventional Distribution Channel vs.
Vertical Marketing Systems
Conventional Vertical
marketing marketing
channel channel

Manufacturer Manufacturer

Wholesaler
Wholesaler

Retailer
Retailer

Consumer
Consumer
Innovations in Marketing Systems

Horizontal Marketing Hybrid Marketing


System System

Two or more A single firm sets up


companies at one two or more
channel level join marketing channels
together to increase to increase coverage
coverage
Example:Retailers,
Example:Banks in Catalogs, and Sales
Grocery Stores Force
Changing Channel Organization
 Disintermediation:

Occurs when product and service producers
cut out intermediaries and go directly to final
buyers, or when radically new types of
channel intermediaries displace traditional
ones.
Channel Design Decisions

Analyzing Consumer Service Needs

Setting Channel Objectives & Constraints

Identifying Major Alternatives

Intensive Selective Exclusive


Distribution Distribution Distribution

Evaluating the Major Alternatives


Analyzing Consumer Needs

 Answering key questions helps to


determine customer needs:

Do consumers want to buy from nearby
locations or are they willing to travel?
 Do they value breadth of assortment or do they
prefer specialization?

Do consumers want many add-on services?
 Firmmust balance needs against costs
and consumer price preferences.
Setting Channel Objectives

 State objectives in terms of targeted levels


of customer service.
 Channel objectives are influenced by:
 Cost
 Nature of the company

The firm’s products
 Marketing intermediaries
 Competitors
 Environment
Identifying Major Alternatives

 Types of Intermediaries

Company sales force
 Manufacturer’s agency
 Industrial distributors
 Number of intermediaries
 Intensive distribution
 Exclusive distribution

Selective distribution
 Responsibilities of intermediaries
Evaluating the Major
Alternatives
 Economic Criteria:

A company compares the likely sales, costs, and
profitability of different channel alternatives.
 Control Issues:
 How and to whom should control be given?
 Adaptive Criteria:
 Consider long-term commitment vs. flexibility.
Channel Management
Decisions
 Selecting channel members
 Managing and motivating channel
members
 Partner relationship management
 Evaluating channel members
Marketing Logistics

 Planning, implementing, and controlling the


physical flow of goods, services, and
related information from points of origin to
points of consumption to meet customer
requirements at a profit.
Market logistics planning
 Market logistics planning has four steps:
 Deciding on the company’s value proposition to its
customers

Deciding on the best channel design and network
strategy for reaching the customer
 Developing operational excellence in sales
forecasting, warehouse management, transportation
management and materials management.
 Implementing the solution with the best information
systems, equipment, policies and procedures.
Goals of the Logistics System
& Major Logistics Functions
 Goals of the Logistics System:

Deliver a targeted level of customer service at
the least cost.

 Major Logistics Functions:


 Warehousing
 Inventory management

Transportation
 Logistics information management
Warehousing

 How many, what types, and where?


 Storage warehouses
 Distribution centers
 Automated warehouses
Inventory Management

 Must balance between too much and too


little inventory.
 Just-in-time logistics systems
 RFID or Smart Tag technology
Transportation

 Trucks
 Railroads
 Water carriers
 Pipelines
 Air
 Internet
Integrated Logistics Management
 The logistics concept that emphasizes
teamwork, both inside the company and
among all the marketing channel
organizations, to maximize the
performance of the entire distribution
system.
 Involves:
 Cross-functional teamwork inside the
company
 Building logistics partnerships

Third-party logistics

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