Business Studies

Discussion must be at least 825 words or more not including references which should supported by citing at least 4 peer-reviewed journal articles between 2017-2022 and a biblical reference. Discussion must be in current APA format and must include a reference list. Reference sample make sure to include DOI-Drollinger, T., Comer, L. B., & Warrington, P. T. (2006). Development and validation of the active empathetic listening scale. Psychology & Marketing, 23(2), 161-180. https://doi.org/10.1002/mar.20105
Exact Instructions:
Select peer-review journal articles on one of the 4Ps – Place. Keyword search terms might include one of the following: marketing channel strategy, distribution, retailers, internet, or supply chain. Once you have selected your 4 peer-reviewed journal articles, post a synopsis of the major points from the research you read.

ANSWER

4Ps: Place

Introduction

Place in the marketing mix plays an essential role in the flow and distribution of goods and services. It also ensures that the products are in the right place. Therefore, place ensures that the products are distributed and made available to the consumers as a marketing mix element. The movement of products can be amalgamation of different channels such as distributors, wholesalers and retailers (Wichmann et al., 2021). Through utilizing the right location and distribution, a company can boost their revenue and preserve their customers since it pays attention on the business location, the target market location, and how a business can effectively connect the two, store the goods and eventually transport them to the customers.

Distribution channels have effectively maintained a smooth delivery of products and services to clients. A distribution channel can be considered the processes and activities needed to move a product from the manufacturer to the clients. These can include intermediaries and third-party business that act as transporters, wholesalers, retailers, and firms that offer warehouse facilities. The distribution channels allow the business to maintain the supply of products to the customers as per the market demand (Wichmann et al., 2021). Companies have focused on direct distribution channels where they can cut intermediaries; thus, increasing their financial flexibility. Additionally, brands can also control their client experience when they can sell directly. This is possible through building stores and digital platforms where they can directly align their core messages and values.

Distribution Strategy

The distribution strategy entails coming up with suitable methods that can be used to disseminate the products and services. The distribution attributes entail assortments, location, channel coverage, and transportation. The distribution of products links to the effect elasticity amid promotion and advertising, sales force, and distribution (Trihatmoko and Mulyani, 2018). The goal of the distribution strategy is to increase revenue while maintaining loyal clients. The distribution strategies depend on the product being sold, which means that the type of distribution required translates to achieving growth goals. The implementation of product placement or distribution can bring the product nearer to the consumer or the target market. The distribution approach is assumed to be among ways of defining the product success in a fast-moving consumer products.

Reversible supply chain

The supply chain makes the product and service flow through transport and distribution from the suppliers to the end customers. Considerably, for the need to deliver the product to consumers without losing its characteristics, it would mean restructuring the supply chain through shorting methods to avoid intermediaries from production to the client and lowering the supply chain life cycle (Drljača, 2019). The supply chain has played a great role in boosting the efficiency of logistics services efficient by lowering the inventory and movement of goods efficiently from the manufacturers to the users.

Managing Multi and Omni Channel Distribution

Managing multi and Omni-channel distribution is like coaching and recruiting people with varying skills and responsibilities. Selecting the right blend of metrics that can be used to manage distribution is challenging for most marketers. Ailawadi and Farris (2017) state that an increasing variety of distribution channel formats from single to multi and Omni-channel marketing has made buying and shopping more suitable for customers. However, this has also come with challenges linked to the management of marketers, both downstream and upstream retailers. The initial approach in the management of Omni and multi-channel distribution is finding a particular metric that can improve the reliable analysis of the connection amid the marketing and distribution objectives. Marketers both downstream and upstream need to shift their approach regarding the scope to which varying channels complement and contend with each other. Marketers also need to focus on big data to understand their distribution channel coverage and performance. Good metrics allow effective measurement of the distribution decisions and how they are linked to the marketing objectives.

The length of the distribution network as a factor of its efficiency

The distribution channel length entails the levels of independent members within the channel. A direct-distribution channel is considered a short channel whole the indirect distribution is considered a long channel. Andjelkovic and Radosavljevic (2020) state that the structure or length of a distribution channel is dependent on the product characteristics, consumer habits as well as the internal and external factors influencing the company. The length of the distribution network can influence the competitiveness of the product due to high product availability and lead time. Determining the proper locations of the distribution network and the number of facilities can be essential for a company since it reduces extra expenses and the involvement of more partners in the distribution network due to improved market share.

Biblical Reference

In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus told his followers that they should go out and make disciples and baptize them. This can be considered as a distribution network for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The disciples acted as intermediaries who were used in spreading and easily reaching people. Therefore, creating a suitable distribution network can facilitate the success of a product or service in the market.

Conclusion

In summation, marketing mix place and distribution strategy focus on how effectively a company is able to get its products and services to the clients. However, the distribution network varies due to a number of factors that are linked to the external and internal environment of the organization. Companies should focus on creating distribution channels that are favorable to their products in terms of fast delivery and reduced lead time to increase efficiency and competitive advantage.

References

Ailawadi, K. L., & Farris, P. W. (2017). Managing Multi- and Omni-Channel Distribution: Metrics and Research Directions. In Journal of Retailing (Vol. 93, Issue 1, pp. 120–135). Elsevier BV. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jretai.2016.12.003

Andjelkovic, A., & Radosavljevic, M. (2020). The length of the distribution channel as a factor of its efficiency. Strategic Management-International Journal of Strategic Management and Decision Support Systems in Strategic Management, 25(2). https://doi.org/10.5937/straman2002009a

Drljača, M. (2019). Reversible Supply Chain in the function of competitiveness. Production Engineering Archives, 22. http://dx.doi.org/10.30657/pea.2019.22.06

Trihatmoko, R. A.,  Mulyani,  R., &  Lukviarman,  N. (2018).  Product Placement Strategy in the Business Market Competition: Studies of Fast Moving Consumer Goods. Business and Management Horizon,  6(1),  150-161. https://dx.doi.org/105296/bmh.v6i1.13239

Wichmann, J. R., Uppal, A., Sharma, A., & Dekimpe, M. G. (2021). A global perspective on the marketing mix across time and space. International Journal of Research in Marketing. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijresmar.2021.09.001