A manufacturer distribution issue: how to manage an online and a traditional retailer

The Internet's popularity and success have shaped new relationships in B2B market. The use of dual channels becomes a widespread practice and new challenges face channel members. We assess the benefit of two coordinating mechanisms namely the whole-channel price and the quantity discount when a manufacturer sells his product through a traditional and an online store and uses a single wholesale price for both retailers. Then, we extend the analysis to two-wholesale pricing scenario. Our model suggests that product compatibility to the web is a key factor impacting the decision to coordinate the channel or not and which coordination mechanism to use. We found also that the whole channel is always better-off when coordination is implemented though channel members have different positions with regards to such decision. Hence, a profit-sharing mechanism is required to satisfy all members. Finally, we analyze the effect of varying channel substitutability on channel members' profitability.