SSCC

South Africa does not have the same level of political correctness (thank goodness) as the USA. While the Spur imagery is offensive to many Americans it does my have the same significance in SA. Our venacular includes terms like coloured to describe a person of mixed race. In the USA that would be highly offensive. In SA its accepted. Same with guys cycling in Lycra showing their knees. In some cultures that's offensive as men should not show their un-covered legs. With all of this you have to consider culture and location.

The direct model often sets a retail price that the dealers can't match. By selling direct the brand gives away some of the 35% the dealer would have made by trimming the retail price. End result brand makes a higher margin and consumer gets better pricing. That's why dealers don't like the direct model and usually won't support brands that go this route.