Which type of distribution typically provides the highest market coverage?

Intensive distribution is typically regarded as providing the highest market coverage because it aims to place products in as many outlets as possible. This strategy is particularly common for consumer goods, such as snacks, beverages, and toiletries, where the objective is to make the product readily available to the largest number of consumers. By maximizing the number of locations where a product can be purchased, intensive distribution increases visibility and accessibility, encouraging impulse buys and spontaneous consumer decisions.

This approach facilitates broad market penetration and attracts a wide array of customer segments, as it allows products to be found in numerous retail stores, supermarkets, convenience shops, and online platforms. Consequently, consumers have greater opportunity to encounter and purchase these products during their shopping experiences, significantly enhancing overall sales potential.

The alternatives, such as exclusive, selective, or indirect distribution strategies, do not prioritize such extensive market presence. Exclusive distribution limits product availability to a single or very few outlets within a market, selective distribution involves placing products in a limited number of authorized dealers or outlets, and while indirect distribution utilizes intermediaries to reach end consumers, it may not ensure that the product is uniformly available in all desired markets.