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How is this article relevant to today’s lesson?

The article helps us understand the importance of the location business and how the location can affect a business. It also tells us how businesses can attract a high amount of customers while reducing their costs.

In your own words, explain why online distribution is becoming more popular.

Online distribution is getting more popular since it is the most reliable and accessible way for customers to shop due to its availability, meaning that customers can order items whenever they want. Another reason is that it is cheaper because retailers need to pay rent wherever they open up a branch especially if it is in a mall etc. and running a website saves a lot more money. In conclusion, all the customers have a wider range of items to choose from and can shop from anywhere in the world. Online shopping can also include a lot of discounts and sales more regularly, and it is easier to find an item that a customer is looking for at a cheaper price.

How does this relate to what else you already know?

From my past experiences, online shopping is a lot more convenient than going out to buy something since it is instantaneous and I wouldn't have to worry about leaving the house every time I need to buy something. There are also a lot more items available online to shop from, and some companies which do not have a retail store in my country can still deliver to where I live through online shopping. However, a disadvantage of this is when ordering clothing or accessories where I am unsure of the fitting/sizes and it can take many does to ship the order as well so I would need to wait for a long time.

Does this article raise any new questions?

Since e-commerce is taking over, I would like to know if any retail store would actually need to exist in the future and if it did, does it make any profit at all? Or would all businesses and stores be forced into making websites and other online platforms in order to raise capital?

Challenge

What factors determine the success of online distribution for a business

web engineering, shipment costs, maintaining high-quality products, product availability, delivery time and pricing

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How is this article relevant to today’s lesson?
It teaches us the importance of where a business is located and how the place of a business may affect the business. It also talks about the 'omni-channel' strategy teaching us how a business can have a larger market share while keeping prices low. Therefore, this attracts more customers.

In your own words, mention how the article has helped you understand why online distribution is becoming popular.
I now understand that E-commerce is the top sales catalyst today for many distributors.  Additionally, E-commerce is the most popular distribution channel because it's easy for customers to use, and it reduces distributors' costs for getting information to the customer and securing orders from them.

How does this relate to what else you already know?
I like online shopping because it's easier and more convenient to shop online sometimes as I can't drive myself to the mall (only when it is convenient for my parents to go to the mall). Moreover, you can shop in the comfort of your home; no need to get up from your bed, dress up and get into my car and drive to the mall.

Does this article raise any new questions?
I wonder if in the future, everything will be based on technology, so will all big and small retail shops be forced to have an online website where customers can purchase their products from?

Challenge:  Explain some important factors in determining success of online distribution for a business

Regulation of product pricing- It’s natural for customers to compare prices between brands. It’s expected of entrepreneurs, as well, to be aware of how much competitors are charging for their goods.

Maintaining high quality products- Make sure you procure your products from well-known and trusted suppliers of high quality goods as well.

Improving store accessibility- The design of your ecommerce website (online store) must accommodate all types of customers. The online store is your main tool of communicating and transacting with them. It must be able to rely information fast and concisely to evoke the trustworthiness of your business to your customers.

Making a good first impression- Users know if they like a website or not by just a glance, and that first impression usually lasts. Making a good first impression is imperative in getting more customers in your online store, Make the best, eye-catching design possible, in order to entice people into coming in and making use of your ecommerce website.

Securing your shipments- One of the main concerns with ecommerce for both entrepreneurs and consumers is the issue of security. With personal and financial information being handled online, there is always the potential for ecommerce websites being compromised and customer data stolen for nefarious purposes.

Taking advantage of m-commerce- The mobile user base has grown exponentially over the last few years, thereby the need for online stores to become mobile commerce ready has become virtually mandatory at this point. If your online store is not optimized for mobile devices, then you are missing out on a lot of business.

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How is this article relevant to today’s lesson?

It teaches us the importance of the location business and how it may affect them. In addition, it tells us how they want to reach all of their customers whilst keeping their costs as low as possible.

In your own words, explain why online distribution is becoming more popular.

Because it is the most convenient for the customers due to the shop being open 24/7. Also, it is cheaper due to the retailers not having to pay rent for expensive shops in city centres where customers are typically located. In addition, the customers have a much larger choice and they can shop from anywhere if they have a stable connection to the internet.

How does this relate to what else you already know?

In my experience, online shopping is much easier because I don’t even need to step out of the house. I don’t need to put any effort into getting ready or something and I can just look online. However, the downside of this is that I can't wear the clothes to check the size or something so this might be a foreseeable issue that can occur.

Does this article raise any new questions?

I wonder if they need stores in malls and city centres are necessary for a business to gain a profit. The lucrative industry in online distribution is already expanding with the high demand and during the pandemic companies such as Amazon have gained very high profit by already being established in the industry.

Challenge

What factors determine the success of online distribution for a business

Engaging Web Design, Regulation of product pricing, Maintaining high-quality products, Securing your shipments, marketing and product availability

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How is this article relevant to today's lesson?
The article shows us how important place is to a business as it allows the business to have a larger market while keeping prices low in order to attract as many customers as possible.

How the article has helped you understand why online distribution is becoming popular:
I believe that online distribution is increasing in popularity as it is the most convenient option for all customers in the sense that it takes the least effort by them- there is no need to go out and purchase products when they can do it in the comfort of their homes. It also allows the customer to have access to various stores at once, you would have to go to separate stores to get groceries and clothes, for example. By having an online outlet customers can access everything from the same place- the internet.

How does this relate to what else you already know?
Through experience, I feel like online shopping is much easier for me as I am unable to drive to malls by myself, I can just order online from the same stores that are in the malls. This provides an alternative to the number of things I would have to do to get to a mall, making it much easier for me. I know this is the same for many others, younger or older.

Does this article raise any new questions?
I wonder if online shopping will take over the need for physical stores in the near future, are there any trends that could support this? Such as the number of people visiting malls decreasing, the number of items being purchased online increasing, etc.

Challenge: Factors determining the success of online distribution:
-Pricing. If a business was to price more for products ordered online while competitors don't do the same, they would lose customers and have a competitive disadvantage.
-Product availability. If certain businesses don't satisfy the needs and wants of consumers, they will lose customers and customers may not purchase online or go to other competitors.
-Delivery. The time taken to deliver a product shouldn't be too long as, if it is, customers will be hesitant to order again from the business. Quality should also be maintained during delivery as this could also affect customer retention.

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How is this article relevant to today’s lesson?

This article is relevant to today's lesson because it explains how "place" is a very significant factor that needs to be considered by a business because it enables them to reach out to more customers and meet all their needs and preferences.
In your own words, mention how the article has helped you understand why online distribution is becoming popular.
Online distribution is very popular in society as it provides customers with a fully integrated shopping experience due to its convenience and effectiveness when purchasing items. It allows consumers to purchase items from wherever they please as well as enabling the business to lower their costs.
How does this relate to what else you already know?
I know that many business have the option of shopping both offline and online, which improves customer satisfaction because makes customers participate and interact with the business at their own will.
Challenge:  Explain some important factors in determining success of online distribution for a business.
Quality of products and items need to be maintained to a high standard, even after being delivered. The website should be very secure and reliable in order for customers to shop at ease.

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In your own words, mention how the article has helped you understand why online distribution is becoming popular.
It is becoming increasingly popular due to its convenience for customers as it makes it very easy for them to obtain the products they want. It also enables the business to lower their costs as they would not have to pay rent to operate.
Challenge:  Explain some important factors in determining success of online distribution for a business
Website : The website needs to be well developed so that it is easy to use as well as safe so that the customer can easily access it as well as feel safe enough to use their credit card to order the items
Delivery : The delivery needs to be on time and the packages need to be handled with care to avoid losing customers due to late delivery and broken packages.

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In your own words, mention how the article has helped you understand why online distribution is becoming popular.

It's has become very popular due to its ease, and makes the shopping experience very comfortable for the user as they can do it from home.

Explain some important factors in determining the success of online distribution for a business

Delivery time- if it takes too long to come then the customer would have preferred to go to the shop and buy the product themselves.
The website must be safe - so that the customer feels safe clicking on the website

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How is the article relevant to todays lesson?
The article is relevant as in today's lesson we are talking about how one of the most important aspect in a business is, Place.  How to effectively connect, reach customers, making more profit however lowering costs.

In your own words, mention how the article has helped you understand why online distribution is becoming popular.
The article helped me understand how, online distribution is a convenient/easier way for customer's to obtain their wants and needs and it helps the business release and market their products and it lowers their operating and overhead costs.

How does this relate to what else you already know?
I knew that businesses find it easier to market their products as it is efficient because a lot of people buy online.

Does this article raise any new questions?

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How is this article relevant to today’s lesson?

This article is relevant to today's lesson because it explains to us the importance of place for a business, and how they need to reach their customers and provide with the wants that the customers desire and to reach as many customers as possible, while keeping their costs low.
In your own words, mention how the article has helped you understand why online distribution is becoming popular.
Online distribution is becoming popular because it is more convenient for customers to buy, and for businesses to sell. It also allows businesses to decrease their prices, as they don't have to pay for rent for a store in a mall. Also, for businesses to reach their maximum possible amount of customers, they need to expand their horizons to a mix of online and offline selling (an omni-channel).
How does this relate to what else you already know?
This relates to what I already know because I know about many stores now having apps or websites to sell their goods, and I knew about Amazon's acquisition of Souq.
Does this article raise any new questions?
There are still many problems with e-commerce in the UAE, such as refund policies. How will business tackle this?
Challenge:  Explain some important factors in determining success of online distribution for a business
Regulation of product pricing: Even though it may be convenient for consumers to buy online, their prices still need to be competitive.
Quality needs to be maintained.
The website must be pleasing and accessible to all categories of consumers.
It must be fast, reliable and secure.
Take advantage of m-commerce.