SALES AND DISTRIBUTION CHANNEL OF ITC

CIGERATTES

SUBMITTED TO: SUBMITTED BY:

SATISH KUMAR ABHISHEK KUMAR

Faculty: Sales and Distribution REG. ID.-2016JULB03019

SALES AND DISTRIBUTION

MANAGEMENT
Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 1
Introduction - ITC

ITC was incorporated on August 24, 1910 under the name Imperial Tobacco Company
of India Limited. As the Company's ownership progressively Indianised, the name of
the Company was changed from Imperial Tobacco Company of India Limited to India
Tobacco Company Limited in 1970 and then to I.T.C. Limited in 1974. In recognition
of the Company's multi-business portfolio encompassing a wide range of businesses -
Fast Moving Consumer Goods comprising Foods, Personal Care, Cigarettes and
Cigars, Branded Apparel, Education and Stationery Products, Incense Sticks and
Safety Matches, Hotels, Paperboards & Specialty Papers, Packaging, Agri-Business
and Information Technology - the full stops in the Company's name were removed
effective September 18, 2001. The Company now stands rechristened 'ITC Limited'.

Though the first six decades of the Company's existence were primarily devoted to the
growth and consolidation of the Cigarettes and Leaf Tobacco businesses, the Seventies
witnessed the beginnings of a corporate transformation that would usher in
momentous changes in the life of the Company.

ITC is the market leader in cigarettes in India. With its wide range of invaluable
brands, ITC has a leadership position in every segment of the market.

ITC's highly popular portfolio of brands includes Insignia, India Kings, Lucky
Strike, Classic, Gold Flake, Navy Cut, Players, Scissors, Capstan, Berkeley,
Bristol, Flake, Silk Cut, Duke & Royal.

The Company has been able to consolidate its leadership position with single minded
focus on continuous value creation for consumers through significant investments in
creating & bringing to market innovative product designs, maintaining consistent &
superior quality, state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, & superior marketing and
distribution. With consumers & consumer insights driving strategy, ITC has been able
to fortify market standing in the long-term, by developing & delivering contemporary
offers relevant to the changing attitudes & aspirations of the constantly evolving
consumer.

ITC's pursuit of international competitiveness is reflected in its initiatives in overseas

markets. In the extremely competitive US market, ITC offers high-quality, value-
priced cigarettes and Roll-your-own solutions. In West Asia, ITC has become a key
player in the GCC markets through its export operations.

ITC's cigarettes are manufactured in state-of-the-art factories at Bengaluru, Munger,

Saharanpur, Kolkata and Pune, with cutting-edge technology & excellent work
practices benchmarked to the best globally. An efficient supply-chain & distribution
network reaches India's popular brands across the length & breadth of the country.

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 2

 MARKET SHARE

Market Capitalization (Rs. cr)

ITC
Godfrey Phillip
VST
Kothari Product
Golden Tobacco
NTC Industries

ITC Distribution Channel

Distribution channel is having an important role in positioning of the product because we

know that distribution channel is tool by which we can make reach our product to the final
consumers. That's why selecting a distribution channel is an important aspect of building a
competitive advantage for businesses of every size. Distribution channels include your own
direct sales force, retailers, distributors and the Internet. The right distribution channel
ensures that customers in different locations around the country, or around the world, can
buy your products and get the right level of service from your company. To select the right
distribution channel for your business, you need to consider what a channel can offer,
including location and reach, skills and resources, management costs and degree of control.

Gaining Supply Chain Advantage in Emerging Markets

Triple A-rated supply chain- affordable, available, and appealing

"One size fits one" against "One size fits all"

Buy in or settle in

Supply everybody, everywhere

It identifies four archetypes that FMCG firms can use based upon axis of access and per
capita demand. It basically classifies markets into 4 types:

A1 i.e. Urban markets: These markets have a High per capita demand of goods and have an
easy market access

A2 i.e. Emerging markets: These markets have a Low per capita demand of goods and have
an easy market access

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 3

A3 i.e. Oasis markets: These markets have a High per capita demand of goods and have a
difficult access to market. These markets have huge potential because of high per capita
demand. These markets are the future Urban markets in the making

B i.e. BOP: These are the bottom of the pyramid markets and have a Low per capita demand
of goods and have a difficult access to market. These markets will not provide immediate
profits but are vital considering the long term impact of any strategy

Sales and Distribution Channel Structures in Industries in India

The Base of Pyramid distribution challenge

 Focus Product Line

ITC one of the leading FMCG in the country which operates in Foods, Personal Care,
Cigarettes and Cigars, Branded Apparel, Education and Stationery Products, Incense Sticks
and Safety Matches, Hotels, Paperboards & Specialty Papers, Packaging, Agri-Business and
Information Technology, Category, has come a long way from the when it started. The
biggest harbinger in the ITC growth story has been Cigarettes, The category in which ITC
still is the major player in the country.

ITC's highly popular portfolio of brands includes Silk Cut, Insignia, Lucky Strike, Classic,
Bristol, Gold Flake, Players, India Kings, Scissors, Capstan, Berkeley, Flake, Duke & Royal,
Navy Cut. The Company has been able to maintain its Market leadership through complete
focus on ceaseless value creation for consumers through substantial investments in creating
& bringing innovative product designs to market, ensuring consistent & superior quality,
state-of-the-art manufacturing technology, & superior marketing and distribution.

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 4

 BANGLORE HOSUR

ERNAKULAM

GOVARDAN PVT.LTD LAXMAN DAS

HOWCKERS
(SCOOTER WALA)
ADAM’S STORES

BISMI STORES

Data/Information Flow in the ITC Distribution Channel

Information flow plays an important role in communicating strategies from the top
management to the ground staff who are responsible for the ultimate implementation of these
strategies. In case of FMCG business these information flow can be in the form of gaining
more market share strategy (taken by the top management) to lowering product prices to
achieve the said strategy at the lower level.

The Information flow in ITC generally follows a hierarchical structure where it percolates
down from the top management to the area executives through several layers. Most of this
information flow is in the form of changes in strategy that ultimately changes to volume of
sales and other review metrics.

The following figure shows the information flow as it happens in the ITC organization:

If we look at the information flow particularly in the cigarette business we find the way
information flows from the top to bottom of the organizational pyramid.

It starts with the General Manager for the particular business vertical which in this case is the
Cigarette business. This information is typically in the form of strategy measures that the top
management takes. An example can be a strategy communication from the general manager
to improve the market share in the cigarette business. In such a case the next line managers
Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 5
who would typically be the product managers would translate this strategy into
implementable product strategies (e.g. new product development or cutting prices based on
the particulars of the strategy). In case of simpler strategy like improving sales, zonal
managers would be communicated this strategy. From the zonal managers this information
will flow to the branch managers who typically manage specific branches within a zone. This
information next flows along to the assistant manager and from there to area managers who
deal with the wholesalers in implementing these changes. In the organizational hierarchy the
information flows to the area executives who interact directly with the retailers.

After this initial information flow there is data flow in the reverse direction as well to help
the managers to evaluate the attainment of strategy objectives. These are mainly in the form
of sales report that are produced in a weekly, monthly and yearly basis.

Example of sales position report:

o These reports are generated on a weekly basis

o These reports are generated by the managers at the distributor level
o Reports are submitted to the Areas sales manager or Asst. Manager
o Typical contents of the report include Opening stock, closing stock, ordered stocks,
received stock and damaged stock.

Document regarding the flow of information

A sales position report is generated weekly by the manager (cigarettes) at the distributor
level. This report is submitted either to the area sales manager or the assistant manager.

The report contains the following:

 Opening stock : It is the stock of an item (cigarettes) present at the beginning of the
week . The stock which is left at the end of the week becomes the opening stock for
the following week. The distributor takes the order every week whereas the retailers
take the order after every two week. At the point of delivery distributors need to pay
cash and collect stock, no credit is given on cigarettes.
 Received stock: It is the stock which each distributor obtains at the beginning of the
week from the warehouse (Area manager) and further distributes it to the wholesalers
(maximum 1 month credit) and hawkers (1 day credit).
 Sale of the stock: This includes the total sale done by the distributors and the retailers
from the stock in a week.
 Damaged stock: Cigarettes have a shelf life of 3-6 month as they are highly
hygroscopic. All damaged or unsold stock is bought by the company and sent to the
factories where the tobacco is extracted, processed and new cigarettes are produced.
 Closing stock: The stock which is left at the end of the week.

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 6

Channel member management

Monetary and non-monetary methods of rewarding: According to the HR policy of ITC there
are no monetary or non-monetary rewards given to the channel members i.e. the distributors
and the retailers. No benefits, no freebies or paid vacations etc are provided to the channel
members. Very rarely cash gifts are given which is related to the performance. No credit is
given to the distributors for the purchase of stock (cigarettes). Even the retailers do not get
any credit from the wholesalers and have to pay cash. The wholesalers however get a
maximum of one month credit from the distributor.

Target setting mechanism: There is a certain target which is set for the distributors. For the
retailers there are no targets set. The target for the distributors is in terms of M-S, where 1
M-S is equivalent to 12000 sticks and 1 case is equivalent to 12 M-S. The distributors are
given a target of 200 M-S per week.

Monitoring Mechanisms: The distributors are monitored by the Area Sales Manager and the
retailers are monitored on by the Area Executives. The parameters on the basis of which the
distributors are monitored are the following:

(a) Visibility of the products

(b) Availability of the products

(c) Maintenance of the existing.

Training and HR Inputs : The distributors are not given any training or HR inputs by ITC.

Management of Field Force

Monetary Method of Rewarding: As per the HR policy of ITC Ltd the field force is
monetarily rewarded on the basis of the number of bills drawn on the distributors.

Non-Monetary Method of Rewarding: The field force of ITC Ltd is given unlimited medical
benefits in terms of non-monetary methods of rewarding.

Target setting Mechanism: The field force is given targets in terms of the number of bills
generated by an individual.

Monitoring Mechanism : The members of the field force reports to their immediate
supervisor and this follows throughout the hierarchy.

Training and HR Inputs: The sales men of the distributors are under the payroll of ITC ltd. In
case of mass recruitment the new sales force is given training by the HR department of ITC
Ltd. As per the HR norms, ITC Ltd provides training to its own employees of the distribution
network at regular intervals.

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 7

Transportation and Logistics:

 Company sourced 3rd party truck

 Distributor Sourced third party Vehicles

Third party owned trucks are used to transport the cigarettes from the production plant to the
company depot/warehouse. Similarly, third party owned trucks are also used to transport the
goods from the warehouse to the distributors. All these transportation costs are borne by the
company. From the distributors place, the cigarettes are distributed to the wholesalers & the
retailers (panwalas) through the user delivery vans, rickshaw, cycles, motorcycles, autos. All
these transportation costs are borne by the distributor. ITC Cigarettes have consolidated their
inventory by deploying SAP module of Information technology in their warehouses. The
stock positions are automatically updated in the database as & when goods are sold from the
warehouse. Accordingly, replenishment orders are generated to the company when the stock
level goes below the benchmark level which takes into account the order lead time as well.
This way ITC cigarette reduces its inventory holding costs by deploying proper inventory
management.

Critical factors in Cigarette distribution

Consumers

 There are approximately 120 million smokers in India, about 37 percent of all men and
5 percent of all women between the ages of 17 and 69
 Due to large consumer base, there are large number of layers in the whole distribution
hierarchy and many intermediaries involved in the whole system

Geographical Distribution of Consumer base

 POP points are geographically dispersed across India including rural and urban areas.
Since above mentioned requirement points are large and geographically dispersed
 The POPs for cigarettes include Paan shop around the corner of the street, street tea
stalls, kirana stores, Supermarkets, Hypermarkets in the urban areas
 In the rural areas POPs of cigarettes includes dhabas along the highways, tea stalls in
the melas, haats, paan shops etc

Purchase Frequency

 Cigarettes are addiction based products

 The frequency of purchase of cigarettes is very high, so availability becomes critical
 Therefore, the whole supply chain is backed by strong transportation and logistics
support

Product Familiarity

 Consumers are familiar to the product. Thus importance of field force is limited to the
extent of making the product available
Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 8
Degree of Brand Loyalty

 Cigarette brands enjoy the highest brand loyalty of all consumer products, with less
than 10% changing brands annually, So in this case the availability is more important
as their will be pull demand

Impulsive Nature of Product

 Nicotine is a highly impulsive product

 So availability is the most critical factor
 Therefore, delivery should be supported by a strong and efficient supply, logistics and
transportation system

Speed and complexity of decision making

 Speed of decision making process is high and complexity is low

 Thus the importance of expertise of field force is low

Crisis Purchase

 As cigarette is an addictive product, so element of crisis purchase becomes relevant

here so availability is the most important factor

Seasonality of Product

 No specific time band attached with the purchase of cigarettes

 There is a consistent demand for the product

Negative and Positive Re-enforcement

 Cigarette is a product which is not subjective to either positive or negative re-

enforcement as because it is more of an addiction based product. So for this building a
right ambience and a shopping experience are not vital

Financial Aspects (Advertisement VS S&D efforts)

ITC's net cigarette sales rose 16.6 per cent to Rs12,324 Crore in 2011-2012, against
Rs10,574 crore in the year-ago period. Profit before tax from the cigarette business rose 19.8
per cent to Rs 6,908 crore, against Rs 5767 crore in the year-ago period.

Revenues for the first quarter of the financial year 2012-2013 was 3304 crores, up 15% from
the revenue of 2874 crores from the same quarter in previous year while the profit for the
quarter stood at 1900 crores.

Cigarettes account for about 80 per cent of ITC's total profits

Components of Market Spend(Amount Rs In Crores)

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 9

Advertisement 514.66

Selling and Distribution 887.78

Distribution between the S&D and Advertisements expense for ITC cigarette business

 Competitor Analysis

o Godfrey Phillips India Ltd

 Components of Market spend(Amount(Rs) In Crores)
 Advertisement - 197.85
 Selling and Distribution - 75.87
 A clear inference that can be drawn from the above tables and pie-charts
is that there is a major difference between the policies adopted by these
two competitors as far the expenses related to advertisement and sales &
distribution is concerned.
 ITC as per its strategy has concentrated mainly on its Sales and
Distribution partners and has spent a major chunk of their expenses on
this parameter, however Godfrey India has been spending a lot on
advertisements.
 The strategies can be understood by two facts that were quite equivocally
placed in the critical factors that were listed earlier.

 The Cigarette distribution and sales can be widely based on the these critical facts
which are -
o The product is an addictive product hence once a consumer is made, it is easy to
retain him. Hence, advertisements look to be a better bet in order to make sure
that the product is known and tried by target group (new)
o This also leads to the fact that the product once accepted becomes a pull based
product hence the advertisements becomes all the more important.
o On the other hand, in order to ensure that product is available to the far flung
areas and the geographical regions where the product is expected to find a
market. This calls for more expenditure on sales and distribution. This is what
precisely, ITC has been doing.
o As we have seen there has been a difference strategy devised and implemented
by these two competitors based upon theory on insights and objectives that suit
the companies individually.

Team Analysis

Document regarding the flow of information: The report contains all the relevant information
about the stock

Channel Member Management: Includes Monetary and non-monetary methods of rewarding,

Target setting mechanism, Monitoring Mechanisms and Training and HR Inputs

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 10

Management of Field Force: done through use of variety of incentive schemes

Transportation and Logistics: Third party owned trucks are used to transport the cigarettes
from the production plant to the company depot/warehouse. Similarly, third party owned
trucks are also used to transport the goods from the warehouse to the distributors

 Critical factors in Cigarette distribution

 Consumers
 Geographical Distribution of Consumer base
 Purchase Frequency
 Degree of Brand Loyalty
 Impulsive Nature of Product
 Speed and complexity of decision making
 Seasonality of Product
 Degree of customization possible
 Negative and Positive Re-enforcement
 Financial Aspects (Advertisement vs. S&D efforts): ITC as per its strategy has
concentrated mainly on its Sales and Distribution partners and has spent a major chunk
of their expenses on this parameter

Conclusions

 Review the Organization and its product lines

 The study includes the ITC as a company and sales and distribution channel.
 Analyze the distribution channels employed by the ITC
 We have analysis the distribution channels strategy which is followed by ITC
 Review in detail the distribution channel for a specific product line
 The functioning of ITC in terms of distribution channels it employs and the
management of these channels in order to stay competitive and ubiquitous against
competition was investigated.
 The organization was reviewed thoroughly and its product lines on a macro level and
critical analysis of distribution channel for a specific product line. In that way we were
able to ascertain what are strength and weaknesses of the given distributions channel.
 We have also drawn out certain similarities and contrasts between ITC's and other
FMCG's distributions channel to help us add some recommendations at the end of the
report on how the potential of the distribution channel and its efficiency can be
improved.

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 11

REFERENCE:

 http://environment.about.com/od/healthenvironment/a/smoking_deaths.htm
 http://www.business-standard.com/india/news/cigarette-sales-push-itc-
etmarginally/481554/
 Distribution Dossier of ITC Ltd, Praxis Business School S&D Report
 FMCG Distribution Channels In India : Challenges and Opportunities for Manufacturers and
Retailers ( Published in Journal of global business issues, 2008 written by -Debi P Mishra ,University
of New York )
 Exploration of Sales and Distribution Channel Structures in Industries in India (Presented at the
Academy of marketing conference -2009,United Kingdom ,written by -Dr. Prathap Oburai , IIM-A,
Prof. Michael J Baker, University of Strathclyde ,U.K )

Sales and Distribution Channel of ITC Page 12