Course overview
The aim of the course is to provide students with a theoretically grounded and 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 business environments; the different types of distribution channels and how consumers shop across these channels; managerial decisions about physical availability and the factors that influence these decisions, and emerging trends in managing physical availability.
- Foundations of Retail Distribution
- Strategic Considerations and Customer Experience
- Services and the Future of Retailing
Course learning outcomes
- Evaluate and substantiate the role of distribution and physical availability in business environments.
- Evaluate types of distribution channels and analyse how consumers shop across these channels.
- Analyse consumer behaviour and interrogate the factors influencing decision-making at the point-of-sale across in-store/dealership/showroom contexts.
- Evaluate and justify managerial decisions related to physical availability, including the dynamics of producers- distributors–retailers' relationships and the impact of channel conflict.
- Critically review and extrapolate insights from evolving trends in physical availability.
- Reflect on personal and professional learning, demonstrating critical thinking and awareness of the application of course concepts in real-world and collaborative contexts.
Degree list
The following degrees include this course