The importance of "Place in the marketing mix.

The major concentration of the discussion activity in week 4 is to concentrate on indirect vs. direct distribution. In this light, what are the roles that true outside distributors play in the supply chain? (Distribution Channels) Give and example.

Other aspects of place that are important as well include:

a. Location-Important in retailing as well as the concentrated region (s) that you are selling in. Increasingly important in decisions on international trade options. Also relates to internal location decisions within stores, warehouses, etc. This includes the ambiance of the location as well as store shelf placement.

b. Logistics-Decisions on transportation options are increasingly more complex as supply chain issues impact timing and customer need. Decisions in the past where travel by ship was easy did not become much more complex where air freight is involved. Online shopping has really impacted the "last mile" delivery challenge.

c. Type of Retailers-Franchising is an important place decision among others and impacts organizational control and profits.

d. Inventory Control Tactics - You may have heard of "just in time" systems that are designed to lessen the pressure on manufacturers and increase the service level responsibilities of inventory suppliers.

Overall, marketing management decisions concerning "place" are very expensive and are quite time-consuming to set up and change.