In the financial services market, Edward Jones has used distribution strategy as a major differentiator in it's service delivery.

Edward Jones has more than 10,000 offices in North America. Unlike other financial services providers like banks, online brokerages, insurance companies that use online channels in a significant way to deliver many services, Edward Jones has maintained an "old fashioned' distribution strategy.Edwards Jones' only offer one distribution channel - local brokers or trained financial consultants. So, if an Edward Jones existing customer or prospective customer wants to buy or sell stock, bonds, mutual funds, or other financial services products, they must visit a local Edward Jones broker in their office. No services are offered online! The focus is onthe "old fashioned" human contact/broker channel. It is a very successful strategy as Edward Jones ranks at the top in Investor Satisfaction.

1. In a very competitive market sector like Financial Services that uses tech to innovate service delivery and develop additional service levels and products,why do you believe any companywould do this and how does this distribution strategy differentiate Edward Jones?(4 marks)

2. Why do you think it works for Edward Jones - what do they know or what did they need to know before they adopted this strategy throwback strategy. (hint - think about target market/clients and competition generally) -(4 marks)