UNIT 1

The marketing channel has two basic aspects:

1. the placement of intermediary types of channel in relation to each other

i.e. the order in which they occur;
2. the number of different intermediary levels or stages in the channel i.e.
how many different separate types of intermediary are involved, so
types of intermediary and number of levels determine the structure of a
marketing channel.

Marketing Channels Structure

There are several types of channel structure, dependent on the type of goods. An
example of a structure for consumer goods such as food and clothing. This
figure is based on three assumptions:

1. The channel consists of complete organizations.

2. Manufacturers’ agents and selling agents are included with the
merchants even though they do not take title to the goods.
3. Physical movement follows exactly the movement of ownership.
We must understand the underlying reasons for the emergence of channel
structures. Four logical steps can be identified:

1. The efficiency of the process can be increased via an intermediary.

2. Channel intermediaries arise to adjust the discrepancy of assortments
through the performance of the sorting processes.
3. Marketing agencies remain together in channel arrangements to
provide the routine of transactions.
4. Channels exist to facilitate deliveries and to avoid inventory stock-
outs.
Rationale for intermediaries
As numbers of transactions increase, the need for intermediaries becomes
greater. The marketing channel is a ‘canal’ which contains the physical flow of
products. Because of the complex array of intermediaries operating within a
channel, which may be involved in one or all aspects of channel function, the
channel may also be visualized as a chain-link arrangement where each
intermediary unit is effectively a link.

Manufacturers are dependent on the effectiveness of their intermediaries if their

channels of distribution are to meet their marketing goals. Intermediaries of a
channel specialize in more than one function. Their inclusion primarily depends
on their superior efficiency in the performance of basic marketing tasks. Such
intermediaries, through their experience, specialization, contacts and scale of
operation, offer other channel members more than they can achieve on their
own. However, this type of specialization leads to some important behavioural
concepts.

Position and role

Each channel member chooses a position or location in the channel. ‘Role’
refers to the functions and degree of performance expected of the firm filling a
position. Channel intermediaries perform the distribution function at a lower
unit cost than the manufacturer who is the intermediary most distanced from the
consumer, and they balance the production efficiencies of the supplier to the
purchasing needs of the customer.

Another reason is to break down large volumes into smaller quantities, termed
‘breaking bulk’, e.g. a furniture retailer places an order for 100 tables, but the
individual buys only one. When we consider the selling process, the number of
intermediaries can reduce the number of transactions contained within the
selling process.That there are four manufacturers and ten retailers who buy
goods from each manufacturer. Here the number of contact lines amounts to 40
(i.e. 4 _ 10). If all four manufacturers sell to 10 retailers through one
intermediary, the number of contacts is reduced to 14 (i.e. 4 _ 10). The number
of contacts increases as the number of intermediaries increases, e.g. when the
number of wholesalers is increased to 2, contacts will increase from 14 to 28
(i.e. [4 _ 2] _ [10 _ 2]). Thus, greater numbers of intermediaries result in
diminishing returns per contact.

A typical example of structure for consumer goods

The economics of intermediary systems

Assortment and sorting
In addition to increasing the efficiency of transactions, intermediaries smooth
the flow of goods and services by creating what economists refer to as
‘possession’, ‘place’ and ‘time’ utilities. This smoothing requires that
intermediaries perform a sorting function to overcome the discrepancy that
arises between goods produced by manufacturers and goods demanded by the
consumer. In addition, intermediaries bring together a range of similar or related
items into a large stock, thus facilitating the buying process. A supermarket will
buy in thousands of lines to provide shoppers with choice, and a builders’
merchant will provide everything from sand and gravel to light fittings that the
builder can use. In this way, intermediaries play an important role in facilitating
the flow of products from the manufacturer to the consumer.

Routine transactions
The cost of distribution can be minimized if transactions are routinized. In
effect, through routinization, a sequence of marketing agencies is able to hang
together in a channel arrangement or structure. A good example is automatic
ordering, whereby the cost of placing orders is reduced when retail inventory
levels reach the necessary re-order point.

Searching
Buyers and sellers are often engaged in similar activities within the
marketplace. There is a degree of uncertainty if manufacturers are unsure of
customer wants and needs, and consumers are not always sure what they will
find. In this respect, marketing channels facilitate the searching process in two
ways:

1. Wholesale and retail institutions are organized by different product

groups; for example, fashion, hardware, grocery.
2. Many products are widely available from wide ranging locations.
Logistics management
Logistics management involves an understanding of the following
concepts:

 logistics
 pipeline
 channels of distribution
o functions
o economic rationale.

Logistics

Firstly, what is logistics?  Logistics can be defined as:

the process of planning, implementing and controlling the

efficient, cost-effective flow and storage of materials, in-process
inventory, finished goods and related information from the
point of origin to point of consumption for the purpose of
conforming to customer requirements.

Kotler et al, 1998, p.601

Pipeline concept

The pipeline concept, or supply chain, describes the flow of goods from

suppliers through manufacturing and distribution to the end consumer.

Demand chain for grocery products

 

Channels of distribution

Channels of distribution involve a set of interdependent organisations

involved in the process of making a product or service available for use
or consumption by the consumer or industrial user.

Marketing channels include:

 suppliers
 wholesalers
 manufacturers
 retailers
 distribution companies
 purchasers
 agents
 advertising agencies
 remarketers
 freight companies
 finance companies
 consumers.

Marketing channel functions

Economic rationale for marketing channels

The following considerations form the economic rationale for marketing

channels:

 intermediaries increase the efficiency of the exchange process

 channel intermediaries match quantities and assortments produced
with customer needs and wants
 marketing channels make transactions routine
 marketing channels facilitate information flow between producers
and consumers.

Efficiency in market exchange

Decentralised

Vs

Centralised exchange
 Sellling directly

Selling through one wholesaler

Selling through two wholesalers

Bulk and assortments

Breaking bulk and creating assortments involves an understanding of the

following terms and processes:

 breaking bulk: this is the process of breaking large quantities

produced by manufacturers into smaller quantities required by
customers, eg. Health Food shops buy in bulk or case quantities
and repackage or sell by the item
 creating assortment: this is the process of building up a group of
products used or brought in association with one another, eg. a
gymnasium offers a caf�, solarium, doctor, physiotherapist,
personal trainer, sales of gym wear, shoes etc.
 sorting out: this involves breaking down a heterogeneous supply
into separate stocks that are relatively homogeneous, eg.
wholesalers accumulate varied goods for retailers, and retailers for
their customers.

Making transactions routine

The cost of distribution can be minimised when transactions are made

routine, ie. where there is no bargaining involved.  'Routinisation' leads to
the development of the exchange system via:

 standardisation of goods and services

 production of items that are more highly valued than items which
are otherwise comparable
 standardisation of exchange relationships.

Facilitating the search process

Producers and marketers want to understand the needs and wants of

consumers. 

Consumers want information about products and their availability.

Intermediaries make market information available in one place, making

exchange more efficient.

Channel configurations - consumer

Channel configurations - industrial

Channel configurations - services

Channel structures

Conventional marketing channel

Conventional marketing channels involve independent producers,

wholesalers and retailers.  Separate business entities pursue their own
interests and maximise their own profits.  They have little or not control
over each other.  Co-ordination is achieved by way of bargaining and
negotiation.

Conventional marketing channels can be marked, therefore, by:

 conflict
 poor performance
 no leadership.

Vertical marketing system

Major types of vertical system

Vertical marketing systems have a number of channel members.  One

member owns or has controlling interest over other members.  It is thus a
unified system. 

Advantages of a vertical marketing system include:

 greater control over system

 economies of scale
 elimination of duplication
 elimination of conflict.
Examples of vertical marketing system

Examples of a vertical marketing system include the following:

BP Australia Limited

Electrolux/Volta Pty. Ltd.

Gordon & Gotch Limited

A key definition and one of the Rs of logistics is the care and condition of a
product. Packaging is an essential part of that. Unitisation is also important as
this assists storage and transportation. The easiest product to move and store is a
cube, so packaging and unitisation attempts to take all different sizes and shapes
of product and pack them as near as possible into a cuboid shape.

What is the role of inventory?

Inventory is a logistics element that is closely related to storage and

warehousing. It is concerned with what stock to hold, where the stock is located
and how much stock to hold. In effect, inventory is controlling the flows of
goods going into and out of a warehouse. How is this achieved? By looking at
sales data of past orders and using various mathematical and statistical tools to
attempt to predict how much goods will be demanded by consumers. Inventory
management is not an exact science, but depending on how variable demand
can be, it is a useful tool to help manage the flows of goods through the supply
chain.

What is the role of transport?

A major element of logistics that most will recognise is transport. This includes
all modes of transport including road vehicles, freight trains, cargo shipping and
air transport. Without transport, goods would be unable to move from one stage
to another within a supply chain. Some goods with short supply chains, such as
foods, do not travel far. Other more complex products consist of many
components that can be transported from all over the world.

What is the role of information and control?

The element of information and control is needed by all the elements to act as
triggers to various operational procedures. We have mentioned the information
needed for inventory. Order levels help decide what orders need to be picked
and packed in warehouses and enable the planning and organisation of
transport. Information and control’s role is to help design information systems
that can control operational procedures. They are also key in the forecasting of
demand and inventory as already mentioned.