Umami currently sells its premium snacks in four retail chains $--$ two grocery chains, one health$-$food chain, and one convenience store chain $--$ out of the thousands of grocery, health$-$food, and convenience store chains in the U$.$S$.$

The owners have asked you which marketing intermediary strategy you recommend for their product lines, including their new line of seaweed chips, to grow their business.

As you make a recommendation, keep in mind Umami's product positioning, cost to enter new distribution agreements, complexity of channel management, and product lines.