Page 42 - MARKETING MIX
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Distribution channel













                                                  Function of




                                                  Distribution Channel











                                      To collect and communicate marketing information on future and


                                      present customers, rivals, and other marketing forces


                                      To create and perform promotions in order to attract heavy traffic


                                      that indirectly exposes manufacturing products.


                                      To offer physical goods storage and transportation.


                                      To bear the risk of carrying out distributor obligations


                                      To  obtain  cash  to  finance  inventory  at  various  stages  of  the


                                      marketing channel


                                      To  allow  buyers  to  pay  their  invoices  through  banks  and  other



                                      financial organizations.


                                      To achieve a price and other conditions agreement.















                                                  Types of Distribution




                                                  Channel Level









                                  The manufacturer has a variety of distribution channel options. It


                                  may use a direct channel or an indirect distribution channel.






                                  The producer who is using a direct channel or zero level channel


                                  sells  directly  to  his  customers  without  the  assistance  of



                                  middlemen,  such  as  wholesalers  or  retailers,  for  instance  by


                                  opening their own retail shop or chain store, using a direct selling


                                  method,  through  mailing  order  business  or  e-business.  These


                                  channels take the most direct path to the customer.






                                  Meanwhile,  indirect  selling  occurs  when  a  manufacturer


                                  distributes  their  goods  to  buyers  with  the  assistance  of  one  or


                                  more  intermediaries.  A  distribution  network  transports  goods


                                  from the place of production to the point of consumption.







                                  A single intermediary is used in a one-level distribution channel to


                                  transport items from the manufacturer to the client and risks are


                                  transferred from manufacturers to merchants, who then sell items


                                  to  customers.  It  may  be  a  retailer  or  a  distributor.  These


                                  distribution channels are frequently used to distribute goods such


                                  as washing machines, refrigerators, and industrial equipment.







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