The complete guide to intensive distribution strategy for business in Middle East

January 19, 2025
Posted in Articles
January 19, 2025 Mohammad Sharif

The complete guide to intensive distribution strategy for business in Middle East

The complete guide to intensive distribution strategy for business in Middle East

Choosing the right distribution strategy is key to achieving success and reaching target customers. The intensive distribution strategy stands out as an effective option that aims to achieve maximum product distribution across multiple distribution channels. If you are looking to understand this strategy and apply it in the Middle East markets, this guide will help you discover everything you need to know about how to successfully adopt intensive distribution strategy to achieve your business goals.

Intensive distribution

It is a strategy that aims to distribute the product in the largest possible number of outlets and sales channels to ensure its wide availability.

Intensive distribution strategy is often used with products that are characterized by high demand, such as daily consumer goods such as:

  • Food.
  • Beverages.

Where producers seek to increase the product’s access to customers in different places easily.

The main goal of this strategy is to achieve wide distribution and increase sales through an intensive presence in the market.

Intensive distribution examples

Here are some examples of products that intensive distribution strategy is used to distribute:

  • Soft drinks such as Coca-Cola that are sold in supermarkets, grocery stores, restaurants, and vending machines.
  • Daily consumer products such as toothpaste and chewing gum that are available in most retail outlets.
  • AA and AAA batteries that you find in electrical appliances stores, supermarkets, and convenience stores.

Advantages of intensive distribution

In the competitive Middle East market, intensive distribution strategy plays a pivotal role in enhancing product reach to customers and increasing sales in the Middle East. Here are the most prominent benefits and advantages:

  • Wide market coverage: This strategy ensures that the product is spread in the largest number of outlets, which increases its reach to customers.
  • Increased sales: The intensive distribution strategy provides the product on a permanent basis, which increases the chances of purchasing it more.
  • Enhancing brand visibility: It makes the brand familiar to customers through its continuous presence.
  • Customer convenience: It is easy for customers to find the product anytime, anywhere.
  • Market dominance: The intensive distribution strategy helps companies strengthen their position and control the market through wide spread.

Intensive distribution channel

Are distribution channels that aim to achieve maximum spread of products by providing them in the largest possible number of points of sale.

Choosing the right channel is also important in any intensive distribution strategy. These channels are especially used for products that are in high demand and are frequently purchased by customers. These channels include:

  • Supermarkets.
  • Grocery stores.
  • Convenience stores.
  • Vending machines.

The main goal of any intensive distribution channel is to make it easy for customers to access the product at any time and with the least possible effort, which increases sales and increases customer satisfaction.

Best intensive distribution strategy for business in Middle East

Here are a number of strategies classified as the best intensive distribution strategy. Which work to enhance the brand’s presence and increase its share in the competitive market in the Middle East:

  • Partnership with local retailers: Cooperation with major supermarkets and small stores ensures that the product reaches a wide range of consumers, so it is an ideal intensive distribution strategy.
  • Using technology: Adopting smart distribution management systems to ensure that the product is available in all outlets on a continuous basis.
  • Focusing on daily products: Distributing consumer goods that customers need regularly, such as food and beverages is also the best intensive distribution strategy in the Middle East.
  • Geographic expansion: Covering large cities and remote villages to meet the needs of all customers.
  • Promotional offers: Enhancing the spread of the product through discounts and gifts that attract customers and increase demand, which is one of the most successful and effective strategies.
  • Relying on multiple channels: Combining physical stores and electronic platforms to reach the largest possible number of customers is also an ideal intensive distribution strategy in the Middle East.

Difference between selective and intensive distribution

The following table shows you the most prominent differences between selective and intensive distribution strategy:

Selective Distribution Intensive Distribution
Market Coverage Limited coverage, targeting specific channels and retailers. Widespread coverage across as many channels as possible.
Product Type Products that require careful placement or are premium. Products with high demand and frequent purchase cycles.
Distribution Effort Higher control and effort to choose appropriate retailers. Minimal control, with products available in as many outlets as possible.
Control Over Retailers Higher control over how products are presented and sold. Less control over how products are sold and marketed.
Example Luxury brands, specialized electronics. Soft drinks, snacks, household products.

 

Companies that use intensive distribution in the Middle East

Here are some of the most prominent companies that use intensive distribution strategy in distributing their products in the Middle East:

  • Coca-Cola: Its products are present in many stores, supermarkets and cafes on a wide scale in the region.
  • PepsiCo: It uses an intensive distribution strategy for its products such as beverages and snacks to cover the largest number of stores.
  • Unilever: It provides its products such as cosmetics, detergents, and personal care throughout the Middle East through multiple channels.
  • Nestle: It ensures that its food products such as chocolate and milk reach both supermarkets and small shops throughout the region through intensive distribution strategy.
  • Procter & Gamble (P&G): It uses intensive distribution strategy for its products such as detergents and personal care in many markets in the Middle East.

We find that these companies use this strategy specifically due to its effectiveness in covering the largest number of outlets. Thus, increasing their availability in the market, which contributes to achieving better sales.

Cross Arabia plays a pivotal role in helping businesses in the Middle East choose and implement the right strategy for distributing their products.

With its local and global market expertise and deep understanding of the needs of each industry, Cross Arabia can provide integrated solutions that help businesses identify the optimal channels to achieve maximum reach and increase sales.

FAQs

Is Coca-Cola intensive distribution?

Yes, Coca-Cola uses intensive distribution, making its products available in as many outlets as possible.

What is selective and intensive distribution?

Selective distribution involves choosing specific retailers to sell products, while intensive distribution focuses on making products available in a wide range of outlets.

What is intensive distribution in Marketing?

Intensive distribution in marketing is a strategy where products are made available in as many locations as possible to maximize exposure and sales.

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