Distribution Channel
(I) INTRODUCTION
A channel of distribution or trade channel is defined as the path or route along which goods move from producers or manufacturers to ultimate consumers or industrial users. In other words, it is a distribution network through which producer puts his products in the market and passes it to the actual users. This channel consists of :- producers, consumers or users and the various middlemen like wholesalers, selling agents and retailers(dealers) who intervene between the producers and consumers. Therefore, the channel serves to bridge the gap between the point of production and the point of consumption thereby creating time, place and possession utilities.
A channel of distribution consists of three types of flows:- * Downward flow of goods from producers to consumers
* Upward flow of cash payments for goods from consumers to producers
* Flow of marketing information in both downward and upward direction i.e. Flow of information on new products, new uses of existing products, etc from producers to consumers. And flow of information in the form of feedback on the wants, suggestions, complaints, etc from consumers/users to producers.
An entrepreneur has a number of alternative channels available to him for distributing his products. These channels vary in the number and types of middlemen involved. Some channels are short and directly link producers with customers. Whereas other channels are long and indirectly link the two through one or more middlemen.
(II) TYPES OF CHANNELS
These channels of distribution are broadly divided into four types:- * Producer-Customer: This is the simplest and shortest channel in which no middlemen is involved and producers directly sell their products to the consumers. It is fast and economical channel of distribution. Under it, the producer or entrepreneur performs all the marketing activities himself and has full control over distribution. A producer may sell directly to consumers
A channel of distribution or trade channel is defined as the path or route along which goods move from producers or manufacturers to ultimate consumers or industrial users. In other words, it is a distribution network through which producer puts his products in the market and passes it to the actual users. This channel consists of :- producers, consumers or users and the various middlemen like wholesalers, selling agents and retailers(dealers) who intervene between the producers and consumers. Therefore, the channel serves to bridge the gap between the point of production and the point of consumption thereby creating time, place and possession utilities.
A channel of distribution consists of three types of flows:- * Downward flow of goods from producers to consumers
* Upward flow of cash payments for goods from consumers to producers
* Flow of marketing information in both downward and upward direction i.e. Flow of information on new products, new uses of existing products, etc from producers to consumers. And flow of information in the form of feedback on the wants, suggestions, complaints, etc from consumers/users to producers.
An entrepreneur has a number of alternative channels available to him for distributing his products. These channels vary in the number and types of middlemen involved. Some channels are short and directly link producers with customers. Whereas other channels are long and indirectly link the two through one or more middlemen.
(II) TYPES OF CHANNELS
These channels of distribution are broadly divided into four types:- * Producer-Customer: This is the simplest and shortest channel in which no middlemen is involved and producers directly sell their products to the consumers. It is fast and economical channel of distribution. Under it, the producer or entrepreneur performs all the marketing activities himself and has full control over distribution. A producer may sell directly to consumers