Counterfeit markets hurt companies that have invested in building intellectual assets such as unique product designs, technological developments, costly media content, and carefully crafted brands.
The existence of gray-market activity across a country's border has a positive impact on the producer and their channel partners (e.g., distributors and retailers) in the higher-priced country.
The purpose of segmentation is to give the company a concrete vision of its customers, so that it can better understand how to market to that customer.
The downsides of safety stock include the increased costs of carrying that inventory such as the investment in the products, taxes and insurance, and storage space.
Intermediaries in the channel of distribution can include distributors, wholesalers, agents, brokers, retailers, international freight forwarders, and trading companies.
Multiple brands may resonate more with specific markets, especially if a company merges with or acquires a local brand that is well respected in that region.