In the st terms, a market is the place where seller meets buyer to exchange products for money. Traditional markets still function in many parts of the world. Even in the United Sales, during summer months there are farmers’ markets where direct selling and buying take place between producers and consumers. Most service industries still operate at this market level. Manufacturing industries and most agricultural enterprises are more distant from the consumer. Their products pass through several hands—truckers, warehouse wholesalers, and retailers before reaching the final consumer. Products, or commodities are usually divided into two types: consumer and industrial. Consumer goods are those that are sold to final users, the customers. These goods include food, clothing, automobiles, television sets, appliances, and all those things people go to stores to purchase. Industrial goods are those that are sold to companies or other businesses for use in manufacturing or other purposes. Automobile makers buy many of the parts used to assemble cars. A tire manufacturer buys rubber, synthetic or otherwise, with which to make tires. ually these materials will end up in the hands of final users: the owners of the cars. The nature of industrial goods depends on the nature of the goods to be made for final users. The price of industrial goods and raw materials will influence the price of final goods, those that the consumer buys. |