ELEMENTS OF DISTRIBUTION Marketing Management Session 8 October 31, 1997
COURSE OUTLINE Distribution: The origins of modern marketing Some common myths of distribution Managerial aspects of distribution Video: The Fresh Connection Guest speakers: Procter&Gamble
MYTH No. 1 The presence of middlemen increases the cost of the product to the consumer.
MYTH No. 2 Direct channels of distribution should be used for highly perishable goods.
MIDDLEMEN PROVIDE Form utility Place utility Time utility
IMPORTANT FACTORS OF DISTRIBUTION Direct vs. indirect channels Market coverage Type of middlemen Channel organization
IMPORTANCE OF DISTRIBUTION Long-term decision Costly decision Involving various departments Involving various firms Least controlable
TYPE OF CHANNELS Direct channels: conditions? –Product category –Customers –Positioning, … Indirect channels: conditions? –Product category –Customers –Positioning
MARKET COVERAGE Intensive distribution (mass distribution) Selective distribution Exclusive distribution
OTHER ASPECTS Logistics –Transportation –Warehousing Retailing –Retailer part of the distribution channel –As marketing company
TYPE OF MIDDLEMEN Wholesalers vs. retailers Merchants vs. intermediary Services provided
NEXT CLASS Pricing decisions, chapter 17 (incl. Appendix) and chapter18 Pricing objectives Pricing flexibility Pricing strategies over the PLC Methods of price setting Fottle II, pricing decision Video: Leader of the pack, What the market can bear