Lez, an energy drink brand, has a disagreement with one of the major wholesalers of its products over the price of its drinks. The company also receives a complaint from a wholesaler that a Lez dealer has located too close, affecting its business. The brand decides to open its own stores to sell to the customers directly, harming the retailers of the brand.

Lez decides to open its own stores to reach the consumers directly, harming the sales of its retailers. This practice is known as _____.

Select one:

a.horizontal marketing

b.conflict marketing

c.disintermediation

d.disintegration