the choice of distribution channels is determined by nature of products and geographical location of the target audience . Marketers , Apple , Microsoft and SunDisk do not simply assume that people go to a store only to buy products but rather position retail outlets as vehicles that enable the person to satisfy a variety of other needs . The development of distribution strategies should take into account the diversity of the mature market . For example , clustering of stores older people are likely to patronize might be more important to frail recluses than to healthy indulger .The main channels of distribution are direct selling through the Internet , through agents and through specialized retail stores . All companies try to use leadership strategy which helps to ensure high sales and after sakes service . Power , in terms of channel leadership ,and the corresponding degree of control , enables the channel leader to achieve economic advantages by influencing how goods are physically transported and stored . Apple is one of the companies which use proprietary vertical platform " strategy . This perception guides management decisions of how the firm will behave in relation to other channel members as it attempts to control the channel .Therefore , comprehensive distribution strategies of channel design ,integration , and firm positioning all hinge on the ability of the company to either manage the system to their advantage , choose to fit within a revailing system , or design their own separate system . Direct contact with no intermediaries is used by Sun Disk and partly by Apple .On the international arena , the main types of distribution are the 'one-level ' channel and second level ' channel . The aim of the latter one is to deliver products to the large number of small retailers .In many cases , wholesalers want control of the channel to avoid being bound by manufacturer-determined strategies . For instance , Apple and iPod use mobile service distribution channel . Critics admit that "New hardware isn 't the only way Apple can shake things up in the mobile industry . The company has the ability to disrupt the entire distribution channel , which is currently controlled by cellular service providers (Apple `iPhone 2006 . These factors show that Apple tries to reduce number of distributors and implement a 'zero-level ' channel . Likewise ,retailers try to create dependence of other channel members by controlling certain markets or accounts that make them susceptible to influence by the other parties . Apple and SunDisk strive to control distribution channels for better execution of their marketing strategies .