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Direct selling
Some producers market their products directly to consumers. Direct selling can take a number of forms.
Types of direct selling
Shopping party
Telephone selling
Mail order catalogue
Direct mail
Door-to-door selling
Direct response adverts
The internet
Shopping party
Representatives organise parties and invite people to enjoy themselves and buy products such as jewellery, cosmetics and lingerie
Telephone selling
Producers contact customers directly and try to sell over the telephone.
Mail order catalogue
Catalogues are distributed to customers who may buy the products listed - sometimes on credit (they get the product now and pay for it later).
Direct mail
Producers send promotions direct to customers inviting them to buy products. Banks may use this method to sell loans and insurance.
Door-to-door selling
Sales people knock on customers' doors inviting them to buy products.
Direct response adverts
Adverts are placed in newspapers, magazines or on television inviting people to buy products.
The internet
Products are sold online from manufacturers' websites.
Wholesaler
Wholesalers usually buy from manufacturers and sell to retailers.
Some wholesalers are called cash and carry stores. This is because customers can come to the store, buy goods, pay cash and take goods away with them.
Wholesalers may break bulk, repack goods, redistribute smaller quantities, store goods and provide delivery services.
A wholesaler stocks goods produced by many manufacturers. Therefore retailers get to select from a wide range of products.
Agent or Broker
The role of an agent or broker is to link buyers and sellers.
They are used in a variety of markets.
For example, travel agents sell holidays and flights for holiday companies, airlines and tour operators. Estate agents sell properties on behalf of vendors.
Agents are also used to sell insurance, mortgages and other financial products.
