Final answer:
Intensive, selective, and exclusive are strategies related to the criteria in selection of channel members, part of channel selection in business. They determine the level of product availability and control a company wishes to maintain, often influenced by the competitiveness of the market.
Step-by-step explanation:
Intensive, selective, and exclusive are strategies that relate to the criteria in selection of channel members, which is a major consideration in channel selection. Each of these strategies reflects a different level of market coverage and control a company desires to achieve. Intensive distribution aims to place products in as many outlets as possible, maximizing product availability. Selective distribution involves choosing a limited number of retailers to maintain a certain level of prestige or to ensure a certain quality of service. Exclusive distribution goes even further by limiting the number of dealers to one or two per market area, often to maintain a high degree of control over the service level and to further enhance the product's luxury status.
In relation to the inquiry, market structures and the level of competition significantly influence channel selection. Companies might opt for exclusive distribution in less competitive markets to maintain high control, while in more competitive markets, intensive distribution might be used to ensure the product is widely available and can compete effectively. Thus, the choice between intensive, selective, and exclusive distribution strategies should align with the company's overall marketing strategy and the competitive nature of the market.