Types of the Channels of Distribution

      I.            Various Channels of Distribution of Consumer Products

For the distribution of the consumer goods, ordinarily the following means of distribution are used:

(1)   Manufacturer --> Representative -->Wholeseller --> Retailer  --> Consumer. On this system, the wholesellers purchase from the representatives of the manufacturers. After it, the retailers from the wholesellers, and ultimately; in the end, it reaches the consumer.

(2)   Manufacturer --> Representative --> Retailer --> Consumer. In this system, there is no wholeseller.

(3)   Manufacturer --> Representative --> Consumer. In this system, there is only one link between the producer and the consumer, and it is the representatives of the manufacturer.

(4)   Manufacturer --> Wholeseller --> retailer --> Consumer. In this system, the product reaches the consumer through wholeseller and the retailer.

(5)   Manufacturer --> Retailer --> Consumer. In this system from the manufacturer the product first of all reaches the retail seller, and then from the retail seller to the consumer.

(6)   Manufacturer -->Consumer. In this system, the manufacturer directly distributes the product to the consumers; there is no chain of the agents in between. In it, the manufacturer takes up the distribution of the products through the chainshops, by mail-order or through their sales representatives

II.            Various Channels of Distribution of the Industrial Products

(1)   Manufacturer --> Representative --> Wholeseller --> Industrial Consumer. In it the product reaches the industrial consumer through the medium of representative and wholesale seller.

(2)   Manufacturer --> Wholeseller --> Industrial Consumer. In this method, through the medium of the seller, the product reaches the industrial consumer.

(3)   Manufacturer --> Industrial Purchaser. In it the manufacturer directly sells the products to the industrial buyer.