Strategic Analysis Of Apple Inc. Online Channels

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Apple Inc. Online channels The horizontal integration of Apple products is enhanced by the downloadable facility provided by their online stores. It enables complementary products such as Apple Store, iTunes to be access at anytime with customers downloading 85 billion Apple Store items in 2014 (Green 2016). Additionally, online stores provide easy access to hardware products for customers not situated near a store or time poor. Non Apple Retail Outlets Retailers and wholesalers of Apple products serve to make products available across sectors that hold a large product variety, such as JB HiFi and Officeworks. Apple enhance the store experience and sales in these channel partners by positioning and displaying merchandise for maximum promotional …show more content…

Dell uses its sales force to directly liaise with business customers to provide complete solutions to IT requirements. The complicated nature of the product range and the need to design solutions requires specialist assistance. Additionally, channel partners can bring specialist and industry wide distribution capabilities, as with Dell’s channel partner Ingram Micro that has distribution networks in the IT field all over the world including 31 branches in India (Dell Launches 'Dell Storm ' Channel Strategy to Strengthen Its Commercial Business in 100 Cities Acro. 2014). Direct Shipped to Customers The role of the direct to customer channel model to provide efficiencies and cost control. The use of intermediaries can add extra costs that decrease competitiveness (Rosenbloom 2013, p.195). The biggest advantage of Dell’s model is the ability to customise the product because of its direct relationship to cost control. As the product is ordered to suit the customers price range and feature requirements, it is accepted that the item will need to be assembled, which allows minimal inventory and just in time supply manufacturing (Bhasin 2016). Integration of …show more content…

In today’s marketplace the experience that a customer encounters whilst purchasing a product can be as important as the functionality of that product. Modern consumers are more savvy about products, marketing and required levels of customer service. It would be assumed that the product is functionally sound and has the appropriate desirability. Therefore, the critical factor in satisfying a consumer is the purchase and post purchase experience. The accessibility of the product is important, so the product get to the customer in a timely manner. The placement of the product with retail partners, that have exposure to mass markets, is an essential element first step. Importantly, this may be difficult for a new player in the market unless they have a niche product, a lower price point or are already established in other markets. Retailers will normally have established agreements that make it difficult to take on new suppliers unless these circumstances present

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