by A distribution policy is the strategy applied by a company for the correct shipment of its products from the production chain to its positioning in the market.
Distribution policies refer to the measures taken by a company, from manufacturing to packaging and final transport stages, to ensure the product reaches the most appropriate channels and points of sale; and does so within the planned launch and product replenishment times.
Like all processes having a lot of intermediaries, it’s important to design a good strategy to get your product into the hands of the customer quickly and avoiding bottlenecks.
Depending on your type of business and product, it may be that there are fewer phases than those we mentioned; and that, for example, you sell your catalog directly to retailers.
It doesn’t matter how many people or steps there are in your distribution chain. The key is for you to define clearly in advance, how they will communicate with each other and how products will be passed on at each stage.
Types of distribution policies
A distribution and sales policy is classified according to the number of intermediaries involved, which makes it more (or less) complex to manage.
Direct policy: You sell your products directly to the customer and by means of a simple strategy, as a single sales channel (that is, your own physical or online store).
Indirect policy: You distribute your products through several intermediaries and channels.
Intensive policy: This is the most wide-ranging strategy, as it includes a larger number of intermediaries and channels. Its degree of complexity depends on how ambitious you are: do you want to sell internationally, for which you will need diverse distributors? Will you be betting on an all-channel strategy that integrates physical and digital channels, in which case you’ll need to direct more effort towards your warehouses and contacting a large number of sellers?
Selective policy: You only distribute your products through a limited number of channels (such as, only physical stores or only online marketplaces), or in a small geographical network (a country or a city).
Exclusive policy: This involves you granting the distribution rights of your products exclusively to one channel or outlet. It can be your branded online store or a retailer with whom you reach an agreement. This type of distribution is common in brands with a very specific target or selling luxury products, in order to feed their image of prestige; for example, certain Bulgari jewelry that can only be found at Harrods in London.
Factors to consider for policy Design
- What kind of product it is, because if it’s made of perishable material you’ll need faster distribution to avoid accumulating expired stock. If the product is delicate or hazardous, you’ll need special insurance and transport for it.
- Where your end customers buy, whether through physical or digital channels, or both.
- Whether your product needs demonstrations and tutorials in person, by sales reps.
- Whether your product supports customization, and how you can best offer this (yourself or through another participant).
Members participating in a distribution and sales policy:
- Representatives: These agents can speak for your business and bring your products closer to customers, companies and/or other intermediaries. As reps are the public face of the company they should be well trained in sales goals and brand philosophy as well as familiar with the product, thus enabling them to identify opportunities for new channels of distribution or sales. They can also handle logistics and special contracts.
- Wholesalers and distributors: These are the intermediaries who purchase your products in large quantities to distribute them among other sellers or channels. Study carefully what their work networks are like and whether they will position your products in the places that interest you most.
- Retailers or Sellers: Retailers purchase products from wholesalers or distributors in order to sell them in their physical stores or through digital channels (an online store, or a marketplace dealing with a variety of brands).
- Partners: These act as sales reps, although they will not sell your product directly. It is increasingly beneficial to include marketing agents in a distribution strategy, as your partner network can act as an ambassador for your product or brand to other companies or customers.
