This document discusses distribution channels and intermediaries. It explains that producers manufacture products that are sold through intermediaries like wholesalers or retailers to buyers. Wholesalers purchase products from manufacturers and resell to retailers. Brokers facilitate transactions without representing buyers or sellers. Agents usually represent either buyers or sellers. Third party logistics firms manage supply chains and provide additional services for companies.

1. CHAPTER 12 BY: KATHLEEN COOK

2. DISTRABUTION CHANNEL PRODUCERS: MANUFACTERS, OR ORIGINATORS OF THE PRODUCT OR SERVICES. INTERMEDIARIES: FIRMS THAT MATCH BUYERS AND SELLERS AND MEDIATE THE TRANSACTIONS AMONG THEM (E.G. RETAILERS) BUYERS: CONSUMERS OR USERS OF THE PRODUCT OF SERVICES.

3. TYPES OF INTERMEDIARIES WHOLESALERS: BYE PRODUCTS FROM THE MANUFACTURERS AND RESELL THEM TO REAILERS. BROKERS: FACILITATE TRANSACTIONS BETWEEN BYERS AND SELLERS WITHOUT REPRESENTING EITHER PARTY. AGENTS: USUALLY REPRESENT EITHER THE BUYER OR SELLER, DEPENING UPON WHO HIRES AND PAYS THEM. MANUFACTURER’S AGENTS: REPRESENT THE SELLER PURCHASING AGENTS: REPRESENT THE BUYER

4. TRANSACTIONAL FUNCTIONS *REFER TO MAKING CONTACT WITH BUYERS AND USING MARKETING COMMUNICATION STRATEGIES TO MAKE BUYERS AWARE OF PRODUCTS. *FIRMS ALSO INCLUDE MATCHING PRODUCTS TO BUYERS NEEDS, NEGOTATIONG PRICES, AND PROCESSING TRANSACTIONS

5. THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS TAKING LOGISTICS ONE STEP FURTHER. MANAGE THE COMPANY’S SUPPLY CHAIN AND PROVIDE VALUE-ADDED SERVICES. SUCH AS PRODCUT CONFIGURATION AND SUBASSEMBLY. COMPANIES SUCH AS UPS OR FEDEX ARE EXAMPLES OF THIRD PARTY LOGISTICS.