Lec 3 - Distribution Channels
Lec 3 - Distribution Channels
DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS
Distribution Management
M Wahidul Islam
Spring 2015
Elements of
Distribution
Management
WHAT IS A DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL?
Wholesalers
Direct Marketing Sales force
Retailers
Franchises
DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL MEMBERS
C&FA
Facilitators
Do not pay for the product or hold physical possession of the
goods. Merely stores in a central location and then pass it on to
the distributor
Example: Edible Oil Industries
Regional /
Market Specific
Distributor
Wholesalers
Retailers
Customers
PATTERS OF DISTRIBUTION
It represents the service level that the organization provides
to its customers
Wholesalers
Direct Marketing Sales force
Retailers
Franchises
CHANNEL FORMATS
Who plays the major / dominant role in the distribution
channel is also a big deciding factor
Consignment Selling
Companies TV home shopping
Agents Specialty Stores networks
Financial
Factory / Discount Stores
Franchisers Institutions Catalogue shopping
Agents / Dealers
3P Logistic
Distributors D2D Sales People service providers Internet based sellers
HOW TO DECIDE WHICH
DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS TO USE?
Product type
Industrial / Textile / Chemicals and Fertilizers Automotive
FMCG
Pharmaceutical
Telecommunication
IT hardware
Services
Consultancy
Regional /
Market Specific
Distributor
Wholesalers
Retailers
Customers
INDUSTRIAL PRODUCTS
General natures
Producer
Technical
Mostly B2B
Need of more personal Agent
Critical Question:
How do you manage the relationship with the Customer?
PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS
Highly technical Producer
Doctors one of the key
stakeholders
End Users / Customers virtually Distributor
Retailer /
Chemist
Examples: Medicine Companies
Customers
Critical Question:
Can the producer influence Customers buying decision?
CONSUMER PRODUCTS
Target is to reach as many Producer
customers as possible
Every possible route is selected
channels format
Wholesaler
Critical Question:
Which distribution flow is right for my product?
Is my Consumer buying my product?
CONSUMER DURABLES
Similar to Consumer Products Producer
But needs to be maintained /
serviced
Targeted Customer / End Users Market Specific
Distributor
based
Usually high-end Product Service
Team
Different
forms of Retail
Critical Question:
Which is more important?
Distribution Flow or Service? After Sales Service??
SERVICES
Customer Experience is the most important
factor, leading to high coordination of Sales Service Provider
and After Sales Customer Service
The customer interaction is directly with
Company Representative, usually
Usually customer goes through a process of
service experience Different Forms
of Service Outlets
Purchase > Experience > Post Evaluation
Franchises / Agents are carefully chosen,
and are closely controlled
Critical Question:
Does a distribution flow exist as there is no physical movement of services?
NEW FORM OF DISTRIBUTION FLOWS