Definition
Distribution refers to the act of marketing and carrying products to consumers. It is also used to describe the extent of market coverage for a given product. [1]
Along with product, price, and promotion, distribution – represented by place or placement – is one of the 4 P’s of the marketing mix. [2]
Distribution metrics are mainly used to assess availability in retail stores. [2]
Delivery reliability is the degree to which a seller delivers a product according to the schedule promised at the time of sale.
A facilitating agent is a business firm that assists in the performance of distribution tasks other than buying, selling, and transferring title. Examples include banking, transportation and warehousing. [1]
Misshipments are shipments that fail to arrive on time or in the proper quantities. [3]
A unit load is a shipment that contains multiple units moving as a single entity. Shipments that are palletized, slipsheeted or containerized are unit load shipments. [1]
Unit packing refers to the practice of packing merchandise in selling units (by the manufacturer) so it can be delivered to the customer without repacking at the store. [1]
A waybill is an official shipping document that identifies shipper and consignee, routing, description of goods, cost of shipment and weight of shipment. [1]
See Also
Distribution channel
Inventory
References
- American Marketing Association, AMA Dictionary.
- Common Language in Marketing Project, 2021.
- Farris, Paul W.; Neil T. Bendle; Phillip E. Pfeifer; and David J. Reibstein (2010). Marketing Metrics: The Definitive Guide to Measuring Marketing Performance (Second Edition). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.