A number of years ago Levi Strauss & Co. experimented with direct sales to consumers from its Web site.

That experiment failed primarily because of the protests from Levi’s largest retail customers, especially Sears. Today Levis maintains its Web site and refers consumers from its Web site directly to retailers. Go to www.levis.com, click on the link for the United States and then on “where to buy.” What do you find when you click this link? What happens when you click on the retailers’ Web link? How is this type of linking beneficial to both Levis and to the various retailers? Now suppose you are seeking to purchase a specific product: women’s, petite, boot cut jeans.

What information does the Levi’s Web site provide?