methods of distribution

• methods of distribution refer to the ways in which a business distributes its products
• there are 4 methods of production;

  -road

  -train

  -sea

  -air
• road - transporting good via car or truck generally for shorted distances
• road advantages

  • often cheaper than other methods
  • delivery is often quicker depending on the location
  • customers receive products straight to their door
• road disadvantages

  • it is difficult to transport large product
  • cant transport large quantities of products
  • vehicles used contribute to pollution
• train - using trains to transport products
• train advantages

  • easy to transport large products
  • large quantities can be transported easily
  • it is a relatively fast method
• train disadvantages

  • Its not a direct method of distribution
  • There isn't always a train station at every location
  • Additional transport is required once the good are at the train station
• air - this is the distribution of products by plane
• air advantages

  • air transport is the quickest method of transporting goods over seas
  • it is easy to transport large quantities
• air disadvantages

  • products need to be transported to the airport, loaded on to a plane then unloaded at the other end and transported where they need to go
  • it is not direct
  • it is expensive to transport this way
• sea - transporting products via boat
• sea advantages

  • large products can be transported
  • can transport across seas
  • often more cost effective for long distance shipment
• sea disadvantages

  • it is very time consuming to transport via sea
  • it is not direct
  • required additional in land transportation