Sidney works as a marketer at a fast$-$paced company selling handheld barcode scanner tools. Most of the sales had begun online through the company website, but lately the company has been receiving requests to purchase it scanners through retail stores. Demand has been increasing, and a new competitor is edging into Sidney's company's market. Which area should be Sidney's next marketing focus in this product's growth stage?

promotion$-$customer communication

place$-$distribution