A quick glance at the book might not reveal many changes, but a number of significant changes have in fact been made. Many chapters have been restructured to address topics that were missing from the first and second edition, whilst some small topics have been excluded to more finely focus on the key issues. The main change from the second edition is the addition of a full chapter on research ethics and attention is given to establishing its principles. Chapters relating to data analysis have been slightly revamped to make it easier for the reader to understand the key concepts. Finally, changes and updates have been made to examples, questions and case studies at the end of each chapter, to make them more relevant to current research practices.

An invaluable resource for entrepreneurs setting up their own businesses, this book provides a clear explanation of the way in which distribution coordinates the activities of the producer or manufacturer and various intermediaries in order to make the product or service available to customers at the right place, at the right time, and in the right quantity. Key features include case studies of actual businesses, chapter summaries and self-assessment questions, and informative graphs and tables. In this edition, topics include: the definition of distribution, the evolution of the South African distribution system, supply chain, channel design, logistics management, and electronic marketing channels, among others.