4.3.16

Place 3

Test yourself

Manufacturer-Wholesalers-Retailers-Customers

A business can distribute their product via wholesalers. Wholesalers sell products in bulk to a network of retailers and then retailers sell the products to customers.

Illustrative background for Large network of buyersIllustrative background for Large network of buyers ?? "content

Large network of buyers

  • Wholesalers already have a large network of buyers.
    • This lets a business reach a lot of customers quickly.
Illustrative background for Less interaction with customersIllustrative background for Less interaction with customers ?? "content

Less interaction with customers

  • A downside of using wholesalers is that the business will not have much personal interaction with customers.
    • This can lead to worse customer service.
Illustrative background for Profit sharingIllustrative background for Profit sharing ?? "content

Profit sharing

  • Another downside is that both wholesalers and retailers take a cut of the profit. This means that customers are likely to pay higher prices.
    • This may make the business less competitive on price.

Manufacturer-Retailers-Customers

A business can choose to skip wholesalers and sell directly to retailers. A retailer is any shop that sells directly to the customer in small quantities. Tesco and the corner shop at the end of the road are both examples of retailers.

Illustrative background for Higher margins or lower pricesIllustrative background for Higher margins or lower prices ?? "content

Higher margins or lower prices

  • Bypassing wholesalers makes it likely that customers will pay lower prices because the business is “cutting out a middle man”.
Illustrative background for Hard to contact retailersIllustrative background for Hard to contact retailers ?? "content

Hard to contact retailers

  • It can be hard for a business, especially new start-ups, to get retailers to stock their products.
  • This means that it can be harder for a firm to reach as many people and it could take longer to sell a company’s products.
Illustrative background for Control over shops (retailers)Illustrative background for Control over shops (retailers) ?? "content

Control over shops (retailers)

  • Going directly to retailers means that a producer or manufacturer can have complete control over which shops customers can buy their products from.
  • A luxury brand may not want their products stocked in Tesco or TK Maxx as it may lead consumers to perceive their brand as lower quality.
Illustrative background for Higher logistics costsIllustrative background for Higher logistics costs ?? "content

Higher logistics costs

  • Selling to retailers directly may increase a business’ delivery and logistics costs if they have to deliver all the products to a retailer themselves.

Jump to other topics

1Business Activity & Influences on Business

2People in Business

3Business Finance

4Marketing

5Business Operations

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium