___________________ensures that products reach the ultimate customers from the manufacturers.
Answer & explanation
Correct answer: option 1
The correct answer is Option (1) → Physical distribution
Option (1) Physical distribution — Correct. It covers all the activities required to physically move goods from manufacturers to the customers: order processing, transportation, warehousing and inventory control.
Option (2) Selling — Incorrect. Selling is the promotion of goods through salesmanship, advertising and similar efforts, so that the title passes from seller to buyer. Carrying the goods to the buyer is a separate task.
Option (3) Packaging — Incorrect. Packaging designs and produces the container or wrapper of a product. It protects the goods on the way, but does not move them.
Option (4) Sales Promotion — Incorrect. Sales promotion offers short-term incentives, such as discounts, to make buyers purchase at once. It makes people buy sooner; it does not carry the goods from the maker to the customer.
NCERT (2026-27 Edition): “Physical Distribution The fourth important element of marketing mix is the physical distribution of products and services. Through this component of marketing mix, the goods and services are made available at right place, at right time to right people without change. …” “Physical distribution covers all the activities required to physically move goods from manufacturers to the customers. Important activities involved in the physical distribution include transportation, warehousing, material handling, and inventory control. These activities constitute major components of physical distribution.” |