The UK ceramic tile sector: in search of new distribution channels and customers

This Master Thesis project aims to point out the distribution channel situation of Italian ceramic tile companies, analysing their current structure in the United Kingdom and the new possibilities they can grasp. The first chapter is dedicated to an accurate examination of the literature about distribution channel systems. The second one points out the main characteristic of a distribution channel strategy when a company starts operating in foreign markets instead of the domestic one. Today's picture of how companies are dealing with this important topic is presented in the third chapter. Finally, the fourth and last chapter revolves around a field study developed in London, from which a new market opportunity has arisen. The study terminates presenting the point from where the company will start building its future distribution channel system related to this new market niche.