What do off-price retailers need to do to compete against other formats in the future?

Choose three different online retailers and highlight two examples of differentiation in each.

Discuss the future growth and nature of wholesaling if chains, scrambled merchandising, and the Internet continue to become more important. How will wholesalers have to adjust their mixes? Will wholesalers be eliminated? If not, what wholesaling functions will be most important? Are there any particular lines of trade where wholesalers may have increasing difficulty?  

Select a consumer product that is sold through multiple channels. Explain the various channels and the type of retailer you can purchase the product from.  What are the advantages and challenges of using multiple channels?  Are these retailers effective at product distribution to consumers?