Marketing channels do add value. They add value to the players that are involved in the facilitation and transportation of goods to customers, as well as to the businesses and consumers involved. Taking Amazon as an example, when businesses sell products on Amazon, Amazon gains value. The businesses also gain because they don't have to ship out products to individual customers themselves, instead, Amazon does this. They may also be able to reach new customers they otherwise wouldn't have. Customers also benefit because they can purchase a wide variety of products in one easy to use location.