Final answer:
Channel choice in marketing is influenced by market characteristics, product type, company-specific factors, technical considerations, and unit value. Market structures and competition level also play significant roles in channel selection. While factors like consumer income and preferences indirectly impact market environment, they are not direct determinants of channel choice.
Step-by-step explanation:
Various factors affect channel choice when determining the most effective way to bring products to market. These factors can include market characteristics, such as the size and segmentation of the market, the type of product being offered, and whether it needs specialized handling or has a short shelf life, thus affecting its perishability. Company-specific factors such as financial resources, management capabilities, and the desire for control over distribution can also heavily influence channel selection. Moreover, technical considerations and the unit value of the product play critical roles in these decisions. In summary, channel selection is a strategic decision influenced by multiple dimensions including market, product, and company factors.
Understanding market structures is crucial as it determines the level of competition and market power each firm possesses, which in turn influences channel choice. On the demand side, factors including income levels, tastes and preferences, and prices of related goods might not directly determine channel choice but certainly impact the broader market environment in which these choices are made.