“…the set of firms and individuals that take title, or assist in transferring title, to a good or service as it moves from the producer to the final consumer or industrial user.”1
The importance of channel decisions has not always been recognised. For a long time, marketers only gave thought to appropriate channels of distribution after the product had been developed. However, Bennett2 claims that:
“… in today's competitive and increasingly global marketplace, managers plan for product distribution as they plan their products.”
The same author goes on to state that:
“Modern distribution systems are based on strategic planning, adhere to the marketing concept, focus on target markets, and are consistent and flexible.”