Course overview
The aim of this course is to provide students with evidence based understanding of how retailers, manufacturers and service providers manage physical availability across traditional and emerging distribution channels. Students will develop an understanding of the role of distribution and physical availability in growing a business; types of distribution channels and how consumers shop across different channels; consumer behavior in-store/dealership/showroom and what influences decision making at the point of sale; managerial decisions about physical availability - managing supply chain, assortment, challenge of private labels, pricing etc; customer service, satisfaction and complaint management; shopping online and on mobile; and recent trends and challenges in retailing.
Course learning outcomes
- Describe the role of distribution and physical availability in growing a business
- Outline the different types of distribution channels and how consumers shop across those
- Describe consumer behavior in-store/dealership/showroom and what influences decision-making at the point-of-sale.
- Identify managerial decisions about physical availability and factors that influence those decisions
- Competently discuss online, mobile and other retailing trends
- Demonstrate Business Enterprise Skills in the context of the Marketing discipline: Written Communication (intermediate level)