As discussed a conventional channel of distribution consist of a manufacturer, a wholesaler, a retailer and the ultimate consumer.
Flows In Marketing Channels
As discussed a conventional
channel of distribution consist of a manufacturer, a wholesaler, a retailer and
the ultimate consumer. Not all the channels include all these marketing
institutions. At times the product passes directly from the manufacturer to
consumer. When a marketing channel has been developed a series of flows emerge.
These flows provide the links that tie channel members and other agencies
together in the distribution of goods and services. There are five most
important flows namely
1. Product
flow
2. Negotiation
flow
3. Ownership
flow
4. Information
flow
5. Promotion
flow
Flows in the Marketing channel
Product
Flow Negotiation Flow Ownership Flow Information Flow Promotion Flow
The orgin and concept of flows in
marketing channels is generally attributed to Ronald S. Valie, E.T Grether and
Reavis Cox
The Product flow refers to actual physical movement of the product from
the manufacturers through all the parties who take physical possessions of the
product from the point of production to the final consumer. In the negotiation flow, this represents the interplay of the buying and
the selling functions associated with the transfer of title. If you note the diagram you find
the transportation firm is not included in the flow because it does not
participate in the negotiation function, also you can find the arrows flow in
both the directions, indicating the negotiation is mutual at all levels of the
channels. The ownership flow shows the movement of the title to the product as
it is passed along from the manufacturer to the consumer, here as well we find
the transportation function missing since the transportation firm does not take
title or is actively involved in the facilitating function. It merely involves
in transporting physical products In case of the Information flow, we can see that the
transportation function has reappeared and all the arrows are two-directional.
All the parties participate in the exchange of information. For example Coke
may obtain information from the transportation company about its shipping schedules
and the rates, while the transportation firm may seek information regarding
when and in what quantities it plans to ship its products. Some times the
information bypasses the transportation company directly to the wholesaler or
the retailer when the information does not concern the transportation firm. If
there is an offer, or a price reduction these information are not needed by the
transportation firms. Finally the Promotion flow refers to the persuasive communication in the form
of advertising, personal selling, publicity. There is a new component that is
added to the flow and that is the advertising agency and this actively provides
and maintains the information flow. The organizations work closely with the
promotional organizations so we find a two-directional arrow. From the management view, the
concept of channel flows provides a useful framework for understanding the
scope and complexity of channel management. Changing scenario does make the
role of the firms’ complex, as a result of which innovative channel strategies
and effective channel management are needed to make this happen.
Tags : MARKETING MANAGEMENT - Marketing Channels
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