published_or_final_version / Computer Science and Information Systems / Master / Master of Philosophy

Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-20T20:08:14Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 71060100730.pdf: 1696550 bytes, checksum: 2ab1fb226ddf72ebf4f0005759bf9cd2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2010-02-24T00:00:00Z / Access has been one of the main difficulties companies have faced in emerging markets (PRAHALAD, 2005). The capillarity of the market, the existence of small, not professionalized and sometimes informal retailers, the lack of infrastructure and high transportation costs are some of the distribution challenges companies face in poorer regions. The literature concerning the Base of the Pyramid (BoP) is still recent and only after the seminal article by Prahalad and Hart (2002), it evolved into many different management perspectives. However, there is a lack of researches concerning distribution strategies to the BoP. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to identify, in the perception of executives working in the market, the conditions associated to a satisfactory distribution for the BoP market in Brazil and to build a substantive theory that helps to shed light to the understanding of the distribution phenomenon adopted by consumer goods companies to reach the BoP market in Brazil. In order to accomplish the objectives of this thesis, a grounded theory methodology (Glaser; Strauss, 1967; Corbin; Strauss, 2008) was used. This approach helped to identify the channel strategies used by local and global companies in the market. Many techniques for data collection were applied. The most important one was in-depth interviews with 26 executives from 24 different consumer goods companies in Brazil. Among the companies there were small, medium and large enterprises; which were also grouped as manufacturers, distributors and retailers. Furthermore, secondary data were examined to identify business strategies to reach BoP and map global distribution initiatives. A database from a consumer panel was also used to analyze what and where BoP consumers purchase non-durable goods. It was verified that small and traditional retailing is a very strong format in BoP markets and in the Northern/Northeastern regions. Cash & Carry is a format that is growing a lot. On the other hand, hypermarkets are not very used by low income population. The results suggest that three major categories are associated to a satisfactory distribution: (a) willingness, which means the effort, knowledge and enthusiasm a firm has to operate at BoP markets; (b) well-done execution, which is related to designing correctly the marketing channel and operating efficiently in an environment full of obstacles, such as lack of infrastructure, capillarity, lack of safety, regional differences and informality, and (c) relationship, which was perceived to be friendlier and essential at BoP markets, since it is very difficult for manufacturers to reach the entire market alone. It is more likely to have a satisfactory distribution when manufacturers establish strong relationships in the marketing channel. Besides, small retailers have a perception of isolation and expect a higher level of relationship. These major categories explain also the competitive advantage that local companies have in relation to MNCs and large companies. Despite of the limitations of an exploratory study, it is expected that this thesis will contribute to the BoP knowledge as well as to the identification of the peculiarities of distribution in BoP markets. / Acesso tem sido uma das maiores dificuldades que as empresas tem enfrentado em mercados emergentes (PRAHALAD, 2005). Alguns dos desafios de distribuição que as empresas enfrentam em regiões mais pobres são a capilaridade do mercado, a existência de varejistas pequenos, não profissionalizados e por vezes informais, a falta de infra-estrutura e os altos custos de transporte. A literatura relacionada à base da pirâmide (BoP) é ainda recente e apenas após o artigo seminal de Prahalad e Hart (2002), que o assunto evoluiu em diversas perspectivas em negócios. No entanto, ainda há uma lacuna em estudos relacionados a estratégias de distribuição para a base da pirâmide. Assim sendo, o principal objetivo deste estudo é identificar, na percepção de executivos que trabalham no Mercado, as condições associadas a uma distribuição satisfatória para o Mercado da Base da Pirâmide no Brasil e construir uma teoria substantiva que apóie o entendimento do fenômeno da distribuição para a base da pirâmide de empresas de bens de consumo no Brasil. Para atingir os objetivos deste trabalho, foi utilizada a metodologia da Grounded Theory (Glaser; Strauss, 1967; Corbin; Strauss, 2008). Esta metodologia ajudou a identificar as estratégias de canal utilizadas por empresas locais e globais. Várias técnicas de coleta de dados foram utilizadas. A mais importante foi a realização de entrevistas em profundidade com 26 executivos de 24 empresas diferentes de bens de consume no Brasil. Dentre estas empresas havia pequenas, medias e grandes organizações; que também foram agrupadas em fabricantes, distribuidores e varejistas. Além disso, dados secundários foram analisados para identificar estratégias de negócios e mapear iniciativas globais de distribuição. Um banco de dados de um painel de consumidores foi utilizado para analisar o que e onde os consumidores da base da pirâmide comparam bens não-duráveis. Foi verificado que o pequeno varejo tradicional é um formato muito importante para a Base da Pirâmide e nas regiões Norte e Nordeste. Cash & carry é um formato que está crescendo bastante. Por outro lado, hipermercados não são muito utilizados pela população de baixa renda. Os resultados sugerem que três categorias principais estão associadas a uma distribuição satisfatória: (a) Interesse em atuar na Base da Pirâmide, que significa o esforço, comprometimento, conhecimento e entusiasmo de uma empresa em atuar na Base da Pirâmide; (b) execução, que está relacionada ao correto desenho da estrutura de canais e em uma operação eficiente em um ambiente repleta de obstáculos, tais como falta de infra-estrutura, capilaridade, insegurança, diferenças regionais e informalidade, e (c) relacionamento foi percebido como sendo mais amigável e essencial na base da pirâmide, dada a dificuldade dos fabricantes em acessar o mercado todo sozinhos. É mais provável estabelecer-se uma distribuição satisfatória quando os fabricantes possuem relacionamentos estreitos com o canal de marketing. Além disso, pequenos varejistas tem a percepção de isolamento e possuem a expectativa de um maior nível de relacionamento. Apesar das limitações de um estudo exploratório, espera-se que esta tese contribua para o conhecimento na Base da Pirâmide e na identificação das peculiaridades existentes na distribuição de produtos de bens de consumo para a Base da Pirâmide.

Made available in DSpace on 2010-04-20T20:51:34Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 3 41045.pdf.jpg: 19735 bytes, checksum: 8982b386440c1e32af9686848e0e3c38 (MD5) 41045.pdf: 4547294 bytes, checksum: 970a4994285745a21416ed6bbfb91a6a (MD5) 41045.pdf.txt: 342901 bytes, checksum: 383d58a1ea2d69d2a23310a4cbafa28b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2007-03-22T00:00:00Z / O mercado de baixa renda no Brasil, que engloba a população das classes sócio-econômicas CDE , representa cerca de 77% dos domicílios brasileiros, com renda familiar de até R$ 2.000,00 por mês (10 salários mínimos em 2002), movimentando cerca de R$ 500 bilhões/ ano em consumo, o equivalente a 35% do consumo agregado nacional (IBGE, 2003). Na categoria de alimentos, esse segmento da população é responsável por 53% do consumo nacional, sendo que em categorias como cereais em geral, leite fresco e em pó, fraldas descartáveis e sabão em pedra são responsáveis por cerca de 80% do consumo no país (LATIN PANEL, 2004). Os pequenos varejistas são os principais responsáveis pelo atendimento a este segmento da população, já que a participação das grandes redes de auto-serviço é relativamente baixa nesse mercado. Os pequenos auto-serviços e o varejo tradicional (padarias, mercearias, empórios) respondem por cerca de 81% das vendas (LATIN PANEL, 2004) e possuem uma penetração superior a 90% no mercado de baixa renda (HILÁRIO 2006). Eles são abastecidos em sua grande maioria de forma indireta pela indústria, que se utiliza de atacadistas e distribuidores para fazerem com que seus produtos cheguem até esses consumidores de menor renda. Esses varejistas possuem características e necessidades distintas dos supermercados de maior porte, dentre as quais pode-se citar: menor capital de giro; menor poder de negociação na hora da compra, em razão de falta de escala; dificuldade de investimento em tecnologia e em treinamento de pessoal (HILÁRIO, 2006) que demandam ações diferenciadas de seus fornecedores, atacadistas e distribuidores. Por meio de uma pesquisa de caráter exploratório, em uma amostra de empresas que atuam no setor varejista e de distribuição, buscou-se identificar, com base no modelo de relacionamentos comprador-vendedor desenvolvido por WILSON (1995), as variáveis ativas mais importantes em cada etapa dos relacionamentos entre o pequeno varejo de baixa renda e os intermediários da indústria, e apontar as estratégias de relacionamento de maior importância na visão dos varejistas. A conclusão do estudo mostra que as estratégias de relacionamento entre atacadistas e pequenos varejistas é ainda muito focada no aspecto transacional, imperando a questão do preço, com baixo envolvimento e compromisso entre os agentes. Embora esta seja, aparentemente, a realidade dos relacionamentos entre atacadistas e pequenos varejistas, existe uma diferenciação nas estratégias de relacionamento entre distribuidores e pequenos varejistas, bem como iniciativas por parte de alguns atacadistas em desenvolverem relacionamentos baseados também em compromisso e confiança. Este parece o caminho a ser trilhado pelas empresas atacadistas e distribuidoras que pretendem criar e manter vantagens competitivas sustentáveis e desenvolver parcerias de sucesso com o pequeno varejo. / The low-income market in Brazil, characterized by the CDE socio-economic classes, represents about 77% of the Brazilian households. This parcel of the Brazilian population earns up to R$ 2.000,00 per month (10 Brazilian minimum wages in 2002), spending about R$ 500 billion per year, corresponding to 35% of the national aggregated consumption (IBGE, 2003). In the category of food products, this segment of the population is responsible for 53% of the national consumption. In other categories like general cereals, fresh and powdered milk, diapers and bar soaps, they are responsible for 80% of the consumption in the country. (Latin Panel, 2004). The small retailers are the main channel in supporting this population segment, since the participation of the bigger chains of supermarkets are relatively lower in this market. The small supermarkets and the traditional retail ( bakeries and grocery stores) respond for about 81% of sales (Latin Panel, 2004) and have a penetration above 90% in the low-income market (Hilario, 2006). They are supplied, indirectly, mostly by the industry, that uses wholesalers and distributors to make their products reach these low-income consumers. These retailers have characteristics and needs others than bigger supermarkets, among that, can be mentioned: lower operating capital; lower negotiation power at purchasing time, due to the low volumes; difficulty to invest in technology and employees training (Hilario, 2006) that demand different actions from suppliers, wholesalers, and distributors. Through a research of exploratory character, in a sample of companies that work in the retailer and wholesaler market, it searched to identify, based in the buyer-seller relationship model developed by WILSON (1995), the most important active variables in each step of the relationships between the small low-income retail and the industry intermediates and point out the most important strategies in the retailers’ sight. The conclusion of the study shows that the relationship strategies, mainly among wholesalers and small retailers, are much focused in the transactional aspect yet, ruling the price aspect, with low involvement and commitment among the agents. Although it is, apparently, the reality of the relationship among wholesalers and small retailers, there is a differentiation in the relationship strategies among distributors and small retailers, and initiatives by the wholesalers to develop relationships also based on commitment and trust. This seems the way to be tracked by the wholesalers and distributors companies that intend to create and maintain sustainable competitive advantages, and develop success partnerships with the small retail.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:51:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 2483.pdf: 1306873 bytes, checksum: 9d3acec31689e9bdfb97255853cb9ec2 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009-05-22 / Financiadora de Estudos e Projetos / The development of flexible-fuel engines and the necessity of an alternative source of energy to the oil (Petroleum) have leaded the ethanol distribution process into a new configuration. These changes brought forth new opportunities to the Brazilian sugarcane ethanol fuel industry and new directions to the development of ethanol marketing channels in the national and international levels. In face of these macro-environmental changes, which increment the ethanol participation in the internal market, it is necessary to understand the structure of the marketing channels and how transactions between channel s members occur. In this context, the current research main goal is to characterize how the ethanol marketing channels are structured and how transactions (in the licit market) between members of this channel occur. The research was conducted as a multiple case study by collecting data from personal interviews with 14 companies representatives of the marketing channels of ethanol (sugarcane ethanol industries, marketing groups, distributors and retail stations) from the state of São Paulo, Brazil. The data analysis was conduct under the marketing channels and cost transactions economy theories. The main contributions of this research are the characterization of these marketing channels, by identifying each member s functions according to the main marketing flows for which they are responsible, how specific are the transactions and how they occur considering the governance structures between ethanol plants and fuel distributors, between fuel distributors and retail stations, and identifying the types of power involved in the process of distribution/commercialization of the ethanol fuel. / O advento dos carros bicombustíveis e a necessidade de uma fonte de energia alternativa ao petróleo acarretaram uma nova configuração no processo de distribuição do etanol. Essas mudanças trouxeram oportunidades para as indústrias sucroalcooleiras e abriram diferentes horizontes para o desenvolvimento de canais de distribuição desse combustível, seja no âmbito nacional, seja no internacional. Diante dessas mudanças macroambientais, que levaram ao aumento da participação do etanol no mercado interno, percebeu-se a necessidade de conhecer a estrutura de seus canais de distribuição e as formas de transação que ocorrem entre seus membros. Nesse contexto, a presente dissertação teve como objetivo geral descrever como estão estruturados os canais de distribuição de etanol e como se dão as transações, no mercado formal, entre os membros desse canal na conjuntura atual de maior participação do produto no mercado interno. Para isso foram utilizados os conhecimentos de canais de distribuição e economia dos custos de transação como aporte teórico. Na parte empírica, foram elaborados estudos de casos múltiplos, a partir de entrevistas pessoais realizadas em 14 empresas do Estado de São Paulo que compõem os canais de distribuição de etanol (usinas, grupos de comercialização, distribuidoras e postos revendedores). Como resultados: foram descritas as principais características desses canais de distribuição identificando as funções de cada membro que os compõe de acordo com os principais fluxos de marketing pelos quais se responsabilizam; como se dão as dimensões das transações e as estruturas de governança entre as usinas e as distribuidoras e as distribuidoras e os postos revendedores; e identificando quais as formas de poder envolvidas no processo de distribuição/comercialização do etanol carburante.

Only a few middlemen linking chemical intermediate product supply to world tyre productions have managed to survive new direct business models. In fact, the only region, where the practice of using a middleman in the supply chain of tyre production, for a certain primary manufacturer, is in South Africa. Tyre producers in other world regions, similar in market complexity to South Africa, have experienced the elimination of the middleman. Hence the question of this research, why is the middleman in the supply chain of tyre production in South Africa still a better option than that of direct business models? To begin with, the thesis stated that the middleman in the supply chain of South African tyre producers delivers better value than that of the direct business model. To prove/disprove this thesis, the principle that value is a trade-off between what you get for what you give was the basis of this research (Zeithaml, 1998). Further, a model was developed, from secondary literature, to conceptualise this trade-off to provide evidence to prove/disprove that the middleman provides greater value than value from the direct business model. From this point, the research approach was to collect data through interviews to find out the most important aspect of value created by the middleman. Data collected were analysed, using the structure of the model as a guide, to find evidence of the trade-off. This analysis provided evidence that the relationship between the middleman and the tyre producers in South Africa and between the middleman and primary product supplier is the value that the direct business model cannot replace.

Varumärket, som fenomen, har utvecklats över tid och tagit olika former. Tidigare har varumärken främst varit förknippade med företag men det har nu förändrats. Utvecklingen av kommunikationskanaler, främst sociala medier, har medfört att varje individ och varje företag har en möjlighet att ständigt hålla sig synliga. Utvecklingen har bidragit till att varumärket tagit en ny form: det personliga varumärket. Många individer arbetar på ett företag med ett redan etablerat varumärke men likt en egenföretagare behöver individerna själva differentiera sig från både extern och intern konkurrens för att få kunder att komma till just dem personligen. Den här kategorin hittar vi främst inom tjänstesektorn där bland annat frisörer, personliga tränare, massörer och fastighetsmäklare är inräknade. Individerna måste utveckla ett starkt personligt varumärke för att attrahera kunder annars riskerar de att kunderna väljer kollegan eller en extern konkurrent, och individen står då utan kunder och kanske till och med helt utan inkomst. Den här studien avser därför att skapa förståelse för hur individer i företag med etablerade varumärken utvecklar sin professionella yrkesidentitet genom varumärkesbyggande samt genom val av kommunikationskanaler. För att undersöka just individer inom kategorin som beskrivs ovan används fastighetsmäklare som ett exempel på fenomenet. Studien utgår från en kvalitativ forskningsansats med ett urval från sex olika fastighetsmäklare i Stockholm vilka arbetar under tre större varumärken. Metoden som används i den här studien är semistrukturerade intervjuer som består av fyra huvudfrågor med fler underfrågor som är baserade på teorikapitlet. Studiens slutsats visar att fastighetsmäklare skapar sin professionella yrkesidentitet genom att arbeta med sitt personliga varumärke och kommunicera det genom rätt kanaler. Studien visar även att de bäst lämpade kanalerna för att kommunicera det personliga varumärket är sociala medier samt utskick genom direktreklam. Det är även viktigt att göra sig igenkänd och skapa en relation till kunderna i det område som fastighetsmäklaren är verksam i. Det personliga varumärkesbyggandet för fastighetsmäklaren behöver dock ske i enlighet med företagets varumärke för att inte skapa förvirring för kunderna. / The brand, as a phenomenon, has developed over time and has taken different forms. Previously, brands have mainly been associated with companies, but that has now changed. The development of the communications channels, mainly social media, has resulted in that every individual and every company have the opportunity to constantly stay visible. The development has contributed to the brand taking a new form: the personal brand. Many individuals are working in a company with an already established brand, but similar to a self-employed person the individuals need to differentiate themselves from both external and internal competition to get the customers to come to them personally. We mainly find this category in the service sector where hairdressers, personal trainers, masseuses and real estate brokers are included. Individuals need to develop a strong personal brand to attract customers, or it might be a risk that the customers choose the co-workers or an external competitor, and the individual will be left without customers and might even completely be without emolument. This study therefore seeks to examine how individuals in companies, with already established brands, develop their professional identity through branding and through a selection of communications channels. In order to examine the category of individuals described above, we use real estate brokers as an example of this phenomenon. This study is based on a qualitative research approach with a selection from six different real estate brokers in Stockholm who work in three bigger companies with well-known brands. The method used in this study is semi-structured interviews consisting of five main questions with additional sub questions based on the theory chapter. The conclusion shows that real estate brokers develop their professional identity by working with their personal brand and communicate the brand through the right channels. This study also shows that the best suited channels to communicate the personal brand is social media and direct advertising. It is also important to make yourself recognized and create relationships to the customers in the neighborhood where the real estate brokers are working. However, the personal branding for the individual real estate broker need to align with the corporate brand in order not to confuse the customers.

The industrial marketing strategy in many industries has been largely influenced by the coming of digital marketing over the past decade. The trends are changing from the traditional to a digital era and companies are being forced by this digitalization shift. The manufacturing and marketing consultant industry is no exception. Since previous research has often been towards SMEs as a whole instead of specific industries. The research gap that the authors would like to investigate is brand equity development through digital marketing among two B2B SME industries, manufacturing and marketing consulting firms in Sweden. Moreover, the authors used a series of research methods to collect primary data and secondary data, as well as a computer-assisted coding software used for qualitative data analysis and coupled with benchmarking analysis for the secondary data analysis. Theories of brand equity and digital marketing ( marketing funnel and digital channels) are connected to the empirical findings of digital communication and business relationship to uncover what differentiates manufacturers from marketing consultants in brand equity building through digital marketing channels. The manufacturing industry has gained knowledge over the last few years when it comes to branding and digital marketing but is still split over the subject because of no clear direct benefits. They also lack the motivation that would have given them access to this knowledge, but somehow they have started outsourcing. Overall it seems that the manufacturing industry is working hard to become more digital. Lastly, a proposed model is recommended by the authors through the findings from both industries.

Одним из важнейших направлений деятельности предприятия и необходимым условием успешных продаж производимой продукции/услуг, обеспечения его конкурентоспособности является формирование эффективно функционирующих каналов распределения продукции и услуг предприятия. Цель работы состоит в разработке методического инструментария формирования каналов распределения продукции промышленного предприятия с учетом территориального аспекта доведения продукции до потребителей. Научная новизна результатов исследования: разработан методический подход к формированию каналов распределения продукции промышленного предприятия, основанный на предложенном алгоритме принятия решений о конфигурации каналов распределения по территориям, методике выбора мест расположения звеньев распределительной системы с учетом уточненного состава определяющих выбор факторов, проработке организационно-экономических аспектов размещения и функционирования, что позволяет повысить эффективность распределительной деятельности предприятия. Практическая значимость состоит в том, что разработанный методический подход способствует повышению эффективности распределительно-сбытовой деятельности предприятия. Экономическая эффективность разработанного методического подхода заключается в увеличении таких показателей, как прибыль, выручка, рентабельность продукции, что продемонстрировано апробацией в рамках процесса формирования региональной сети сервисных центров АО «АВТОВАЗ». / One of the most important areas of the enterprise and the conditions for successful sales of products / services. The purpose of the work is to develop a methodological tool for the distribution of products of an industrial enterprise, taking into account the territorial aspect of bringing products to consumers. Scientific novelty of the research results: a methodological approach to the formation of distribution channels for the products of an industrial enterprise was developed, based on the proposed algorithm for making decisions on the configuration of distribution channels by territories, the methodology for choosing the locations of the links of the distribution system, taking into account the clarified composition of the factors determining the choice, working out the organizational and economic aspects of placement and functioning, which makes it possible to increase the efficiency of the distribution activities of the enterprise. The practical significance lies in the fact that the developed methodological approach helps to increase the efficiency of the distribution and marketing activities of the enterprise. The economic efficiency of the developed methodological approach is to increase such indicators as profit, revenue, product profitability, which is demonstrated by testing as part of the process of forming a regional network of service centers of JSC AVTOVAZ.

<p>Denna studie utreder vilka funktioner och roller som byggvaruhuskedjor efterfrågar att deras leverantörer från träindustrin bör ha i marknadskanalen. Vidare förklaras hur dessa leverantörer bör agera för att möta dessa krav och förväntningar. Sålunda skapas gynnsamma utvecklingsmöjligheter av nya produktlösningar för att svara upp till nya krav på teknik och produktutveckling för att öka försäljningen av trävaror till de viktiga GDS (Gör-Det-Själv)- och byggmaterialmarknaderna i både Sverige och Europa. Byggvaruhuskedjorna anser att träindustrin har ett alldeles för stort produktions- och volymfokus och inriktar sig för mycket på export av trävaror. Byggvaruhuskedjor efterfrågar alltmer en leverantör från träindustrin med en hög anpassningsförmåga som kan medverka i kedjans utvecklingsarbete och som samtidigt har stor lyhördhet gentemot marknadens behov och har möjlighet att göra anpassningar till lokala GDS- och byggmaterialmarknader. Leverantörer från träindustrin måste sålunda gå ifrån produktions- och volymfokusering till kundutveckling och kundfokus. Deras produktivitetsutveckling och samarbetsvillighet har en stor betydelse för att generera en välfungerande interaktion med sina kunder. Sålunda kan en koppling mellan deras egen produktion och deras kunders behov utvecklas. Det kommer sannolikt att bli mycket kostsamt och svårt för träindustrin att försöka bearbeta den svenska och europeiska marknaderna utan att använda byggvaruhuskedjorna som marknadskanal. Byggvaruhuskedjornas ökade konsumentfokus och riktade marknadsföring medför enligt dem själva en expansion av marknaden samtidigt som prismedvetenheten och kraven från GDS- och byggmaterialmarknaderna ökar. Byggvaruhuskedjorna verkar alltmer fungera som systemintegratör och anser själva att de känner av en större makt gentemot sina leverantörer. Byggvaruhuskedjorna förefaller dock svårare att definiera som antigen mega-retailers eller category-killers. Branschgränserna blir alltmer oklara och det blir sålunda svårare att avgöra vilka företag som specifikt kan klassificeras att tillhöra bygghandeln Den nationella bygghandeln blir samtidigt alltmer internationell och sammanfattningsvis verkar en marknadskanal med nya funktioner och strukturer att utvecklas.</p>

Denna studie utreder vilka funktioner och roller som byggvaruhuskedjor efterfrågar att deras leverantörer från träindustrin bör ha i marknadskanalen. Vidare förklaras hur dessa leverantörer bör agera för att möta dessa krav och förväntningar. Sålunda skapas gynnsamma utvecklingsmöjligheter av nya produktlösningar för att svara upp till nya krav på teknik och produktutveckling för att öka försäljningen av trävaror till de viktiga GDS (Gör-Det-Själv)- och byggmaterialmarknaderna i både Sverige och Europa. Byggvaruhuskedjorna anser att träindustrin har ett alldeles för stort produktions- och volymfokus och inriktar sig för mycket på export av trävaror. Byggvaruhuskedjor efterfrågar alltmer en leverantör från träindustrin med en hög anpassningsförmåga som kan medverka i kedjans utvecklingsarbete och som samtidigt har stor lyhördhet gentemot marknadens behov och har möjlighet att göra anpassningar till lokala GDS- och byggmaterialmarknader. Leverantörer från träindustrin måste sålunda gå ifrån produktions- och volymfokusering till kundutveckling och kundfokus. Deras produktivitetsutveckling och samarbetsvillighet har en stor betydelse för att generera en välfungerande interaktion med sina kunder. Sålunda kan en koppling mellan deras egen produktion och deras kunders behov utvecklas. Det kommer sannolikt att bli mycket kostsamt och svårt för träindustrin att försöka bearbeta den svenska och europeiska marknaderna utan att använda byggvaruhuskedjorna som marknadskanal. Byggvaruhuskedjornas ökade konsumentfokus och riktade marknadsföring medför enligt dem själva en expansion av marknaden samtidigt som prismedvetenheten och kraven från GDS- och byggmaterialmarknaderna ökar. Byggvaruhuskedjorna verkar alltmer fungera som systemintegratör och anser själva att de känner av en större makt gentemot sina leverantörer. Byggvaruhuskedjorna förefaller dock svårare att definiera som antigen mega-retailers eller category-killers. Branschgränserna blir alltmer oklara och det blir sålunda svårare att avgöra vilka företag som specifikt kan klassificeras att tillhöra bygghandeln Den nationella bygghandeln blir samtidigt alltmer internationell och sammanfattningsvis verkar en marknadskanal med nya funktioner och strukturer att utvecklas.