Place (Distribution)
A) Where is the product available? Is supply adequate and conveniently accessible for typical customers?
B) What type of outlets (specialty stores, discounters, etc.) carry the product? Is the product bought or sold, i.e. to what extent do customers need to be educated and ‘closed’? Is there channel harmony or conflict? What are the root causes of conflict?
C) What are the dominant channels of distribution? How does product get from the manufacturer to the end user? Who are the intermediaries? What value does each intermediary add? What is the ROI at each stage of distribution?
D) What are the critical levels of distribution intensity - breadth (area coverage) and depth (density, number of outlets?