Use the following information to answer question that refer to the Jewel Craft case.
Jewel Craft, Inc. is a leading producer in the United States’ women’s costume jewelry
and accessories market. Its brands are well known and are sold by department stores
and better women’s stores. Several stores in a city may carry Jewel Craft’s brands
because most of Jewel Craft’s customers will not consider any other brand.
Jewel Craft’s sales force calls on one wholesaler in each state. Gemco, Inc., of Boston,
Massachusetts, is the Jewel Craft distributor in that state. Gemco stocks and sells
women’s accessories (noncompeting lines) for several manufacturers like Jewel Craft.
Wholesalers are allowed a 20 percent markup by Jewel Craft-but pay the freight
charges to their warehouses. Jewel Craft’s policy of using one wholesaler per state
comes from its desire to control its distribution. Jewel Craft uses national magazine
advertising and also supports a cooperative ad program with retailers.
Jewel Craft’s prices allow for a 40 percent retail markup-an attractive percent when one
considers that Jewel Craft’s products require little in-store selling because of their
well-established reputation.
Recently, Jewel Craft was approached by a watch producer with the idea of expanding
to watches under the Jewel Craft name. It was argued that although national watch sales
have leveled off, Jewel Craft could enjoy growing sales for several years because of the
fine reputation the company has achieved. If watches are added, Jewel Craft will use its
present policies regarding distribution, pricing, and advertising. Further, it will offer the
wholesalers and retailers an attractive “package” deal as an incentive to carry Jewel
Craft watches. Intermediaries will be required to carry the watches if they wish to
handle the jewelry and accessories.
In the Jewel Craft case, Gemco, Inc. is a:
A. commission merchant.
B. selling agent.
C. manufacturers’ agent.
D. merchant wholesaler.
E. manufacturer’s sales branch.