Final answer:
Manufacturers sales branches and offices are integral parts of a company that handle the sales and distribution of products, and can include roles ranging from direct sales to administrative duties. The location of these offices can have significant impact on the success and efficiency of business operations, as seen historically and in the physical proximity to manufacturing outputs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Manufacturers sales branches and offices are extensions of a company’s operations that focus on selling the products. These can be strategic in location to facilitate easy distribution and provide better customer support with services such as clerical or office, installation and repair, and even managerial oversight. An office can have a range of roles, from a storefront selling goods directly to the customer, to an administrative hub managing sales for a particular region.
In a historical context, the relationship between sales strategies and business location has been crucial. During the rapid expansion of national markets, corporations often faced challenges with maintaining consistent product quality and representation. For instance, traveling salesmen selling products like Pabst's beer realized that altering the product to increase their profit margins could have negative consequences for both the brand and the consumer.
The physical location of a business can provide a competitive advantage as well. A supplier located near a manufacturing output, such as an automobile factory, can realize advantages in logistics and selling to the producer. Similarly, retail locations, like gas stations, benefit from being at busy intersections due to higher potential customer traffic.