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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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