Distribution is one
of the four aspects of marketing.
The other three parts of
the marketing mix are product
management, pricing, and
promotion. Distribution
deals with
logistics:
how to get the product or
service to the customer.
It must answer questions
such as:
- What kind of distribution
channel to use?
- Should the product
be sold through a
retailer?
- Should the product
be distributed through
wholesale?
- Should
multi-level marketing
channels be used?
- How long should
the channel be (how
many members)?
- Where should the
product or service be
available?
- When should the
product or service be
available?
- Should distribution
be exclusive, selective
or extensive?
- Who should control
the channel (referred
to as the channel captain)?
- Should channel relationships
be informal or contractual?
- Should channel members
share
advertising (referred
to as co-op ads)?
- Should electronic
methods of distribution
be used?
- Are there
physical distribution
and logistical issues
to deal with?
- What will it cost
to keep an inventory
of products on store
shelves and in channel
warehouses (referred
to as filling the
pipeline)?
Ship
Definition
Supply
Chain
Logistics
Definition
Cross
Docking
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