Discussion

This week, one of your major focuses is on distribution channels and understanding the advantages and disadvantages of the different channel choices that a company can make. To get a deeper appreciation for the importance of channel choices, you are going to look at three different retailers and discuss the distribution channels that they have chosen to use. As a result, you will first research the following companies and determine the major distribution channels they use based on the types of channels outlined in your Reading:

Amazon©

Wal-Mart©

Costco©

After you have researched the distribution channels leveraged by the above companies, answer the following:

What distribution channel or channels does each company leverage to sell their products?

What are the advantages and disadvantages of the various channels that each company has chosen to take advantage of?

Are there any channels that each respective company could take advantage of to increase sales and that they are not currently using? If so, how could they begin to leverage the additional distribution channel(s)?