1. Why don't traditional department stores have the same strong appeal to younger American consumers that they once enjoyed during their heyday in the last half of the twentieth century? Discuss which types of retailers are now competing with department stores.
2. Some argue that retailers can be eliminated from the distribution channel because they only add costs to the final product without creating any value-added services in the process. Do you agree with this perspective?
Are consumers likely to make most purchases directly from manufacturers in the near future? Provide justification for your answers.
Provide examples of how manufacturers work with retailers to jointly plan and implement the four Ps.