Marketing
...ng harder to find someone at home during the day. On the other hand, time pressured double careered families are a prime target market for telephone and direct mail or a toll free long distance telephone call and charging the purchase with a credit card. Some customers really like this convenience, especially for products not in local stores. Other companies succeed in the retail industry by setting up online shopping and home shopping channels. 3. Advantages that a corporate chain has over a single retail store are quantity discounts or opportunities to develop their own efficient distribution centers. They use computer networks to control inventory costs and stock outs. They may also spread promotion, information technology, and management costs to many stores. Retail stores also have their own dealer brands. A small retailer has a strong customer base, and could provide their customer with much personal services. 4. A manufacturer would set up its own sales branches even though there are established wholesalers available because branches are usually placed in the best market areas. This helps explain why their operating costs, as a percent of ...