1. International Channels of Distribution
How do you get the product/service to foreign consumers?

2. Distribution Plan Determine which selling approach is best.
a. Consult Country Commercial Guides (CCGs) "Marketing U.S. Products and Services in (country) chapter
b. Industry Subsector Analyses (ISAs)
Find distributors.
Find end foreign buyers (trade leads).

3. A B C D Producer Producer Producer Producer Agents Wholesaler
For example, How would you distribute shoes in Italy? Shoes Distribution Varies Across Countries A B C D
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Agents
Wholesaler
Wholesaler
Retailer
Retailer
Retailer
Consumer
Consumer
Consumer
Consumer 2

4. For Example German Vs. French Shoe Distribution Distribution – London: Euromonitor, 1988, pp. 162, 171
Germany
Organized Independents (buying groups)
35%
Major Shoe chains
29%
Mail 7%
Department Stores 6%
Hypermarkets
Discount Stores
Independent Shoe Stores 4%
Other retailers
100%
France
Independent Shoe stores
56%
Direct Sales
14%
Clothing stores 2%
Department stores
Variety stores 1%
Other retailers
25%
100%

5. Who are Your Customers/ What Brands Styles Do They Buy
Who are Your Customers/ What Brands Styles Do They Buy? Where Do They Shop?

6. Would They Shop in Specialty Stores? Distributing Shoes in Italy j99
Bruno Magli
Gucci Children’s Shoes E400

7. Outdoors. Shoe Stores. Specialty Stores
Outdoors? Shoe Stores? Specialty Stores? Distributing Shoes in Italy j99

8. Should You Set Up Your Own Store Chain? Distributing Shoes in Italy j99

9. Potential Italian Shoe Distributors
ITALY BOLOGNAFIERE Piazza Constituzione, BOLOGNA Tel: fax:
CENTRO SERVIZI E.F.D. Contact: Dott.ssa Chiara Padovani Via B. Franceschini, FIRENZE Tel: Fax:
FIERA MILANO Largo Domodossola, MILANO Tel: Fax: Fifth Avenue, Suite 600 New York, NY (USA) Tel: Fax:
LINEAPELLE - ANTEPRIMA - PREVIEW Via Brisa, MILANO Tel: Fax:
AREAPELLE Segreteria: Via Brisa, MILANO Tel: Fax:
FIRENZE EXPO Spa Firenze Tel: Fax:

10. What is a Channel of Distribution?
“Process including the physical handling and distribution of goods, the passage of ownership (title) and the buying and selling negotiations between producers and middlemen and between middlemen and customers.”

11. What Is An International Marketing Channel?
Middlemen in the process between Manufacturer & Final International Consumer who may or may not
Physically handle & distribute the goods
Assume title to goods
Negotiate buying and selling
Middlemen used when the can perform functions more efficiently than manufacturers can

12. Marketing Channels for Consumer Goods and ServicesB C D
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Agents
Wholesaler
Wholesaler
Retailer
Retailer
Retailer
Consumer
Consumer
Consumer
Consumer 2

13. Marketing Channels for Industrial Goods and ServicesB C D
Producer
Producer
Producer
Producer
Agent
Agent
Wholesaler
Wholesaler
Industrial Buyer
Industrial Buyer
Industrial Buyer
Industrial Buyer 3

14. Channel Decisions When Entering New Country
Whether to Use Established Channels or Build Own Channels?
Whether to Use Home-country (located in producing firm’s country) or Host-country (located in foreign country) middlemen?
Which intermediaries?
How many intermediaries?
Exclusive – one or a select few
Selective – more than a few, less than all
Intensive – as many outlets as possible

15. Examples of Home-Country Middlemen (1) Global Retailers

16. Examples of Home-Country Middlemen (2) Export Management Company
Export Management Companies –
Independent firm which acts as the exclusive export sales department for non-competing firms;
Typically represent smaller companies in specialized industries
Ranges in size from 1 to 100 employees and handles 10% of exported manufactured goods

17. Example of Export Management Company
You sell to AMEX; We take it abroad & absorb all risks
Amex Export Functions:
We purchase products from our business partners for resale in international markets.
We pay for products purchased on terms similar to our business partners' standard domestic terms.
We've developed over the past twenty years a unique system and strong know-how to select, appoint, and manage international distributors to market these products overseas.
We attend trade shows, implement advertising programs, and translate material.
We are responsible for invoicing, collection and bear the responsibility for payment.
We handle shipping details, customs forms, export licensing, and all relevant export documentation.
We constantly research and appraise market conditions overseas, and provide useful feedback to our business partners to incorporate in their marketing, and product development plans.
We travel, meet face-to-face with our customers and see first-hand their needs and marketing efforts.

18. EMC Limitations
Relatively small with limited financial resources; may be unable to stock product or offer financing to foreign customers
Focus efforts on products that bring in most profits
Most do not cover Canada
Manufacturers may lose control over who buys, selling price, promotion, etc.

19. Examples of Home-Country Middlemen (3) Export Trading Company
Export Trading Companies –
Larger companies that specialize in providing intermediary services, risk reduction, financial assistance, etc.

20. Export Trading Companies
Export Trading Companies A typical ETC is more market-orientated and transactions driven than a typical EMC. An ETC most often acts as an independent distributor creating transactions by linking domestic producers and foreign buyers.
As opposed to representing a given manufacturer in a foreign market, the ETC determines what U.S. products are desired in a given market and then work with U.S. producers to satisfy demand. ETCs can perform a sourcing function searching for U.S. supplies to fill specific foreign requests for U.S. products.
A special kind of ETC is a group organized and operated by producers. These ETCs can be organized along multiple or single-industry lines and can also represent producers of competing products.
Most ETCs take title to the goods involved, but some will work on a commission basis.

21. Examples of Home-Country Middlemen (4) Agents/Brokers
Home country agents/brokers
Do not take title;
Shorter term relationship;
Specialize in certain products

22. Examples of Host (Foreign) Country Middlemen
(1)Merchant middlemen (take title & possession)
Distributors/Wholesalers
Dealers / Retailers (Ongoing relationship to sell to customers)
(2)Agents & brokers (do not take title & seldom take possession)

23. Home-country or Host-country Middlemen?
Use Home-country or Host-country middlemen
Select Home-country middlemen if you do not wish to enter or do not have capability to enter foreign market
Select Host-country middlemen if you seek greater control over marketing mix; have a presence in the foreign country

24. Marketing Channels Differ Around The World in
Services they perform
Breadth of lines they carry
Costs and trade margins
Length of channel - long vs. short

25. Selecting Marketing Channels
Marketing channel decisions are among the most complex & challenging facing the firm
Each channel creates different level of sales & costs
Firm usually committed to decision for long time

26. How Do you Select Channel?
Cost – Transporting & storing goods
Capital Requirements
Control
Coverage
Character – Does it fit the character of the company and the market?
Continuity – Can you foster loyalty among members?

27. Locating Middlemen U.S. Department of Commerce; Directories;
Foreign Chambers of commerce;
Middlemen associations;
Internet services, e.g.
Carriers e.g. shipping companies

28. Two basic sources of "buy" leads:
The ones you or your reps develop first-hand
Second hand leads -- the ones you hear or read about
Good trade lead sources include
U.S. Government’s Trade Opportunity Program found on the NTDB,
FAS Agricultural Trade Leads,
Commercial News USA trade leads,
Global Technology Network.
World Trade Center (WTC) network, and many states have their own overseas trade offices.

29. Locating Information About Channels of Distribution in Foreign Country
Commercial Guide - “Marketing U.S. Products and Services” section
Articles on “distribution” “country” “product” – ABI-Inform

30. For Example, How are Cars Sold in China
For Example, How are Cars Sold in China? “Buick Succeed in China By Laying Stress on Quality,” Robert Simison, Wall Street Journal, Oct. 26, 1999
“Most cars are sold not by conventional dealers but by independent distributors and traders. Typical is the Asia Games Village parking lot in Beijing, which has become a sort of flea market for dozens of small-time traders of new and used vehicles.”

31. For Example, When Opening Retail Outlet, Where Do You Locate, How Many
For Example, When Opening Retail Outlet, Where Do You Locate, How Many? “1st Starbucks Herald Plan To Give Parisians Café Alternative,” Jonathan Shenfield, The Commercial Appeal, Memphis, TN, Jan. 17, 2004
“The first shop (Starbucks) near the Paris Opera, is situated to draw both tourists and locals…The chain began to establish itself across Europe nearly six years ago, starting with Britain, Switzerland and Austria…Another outlet opens Monday in the La Defense business district, the second of about 10 planned for Paris.”