This introduction to the world of retailing takes advantage of the author's own extensive travel and research to provide a global perspective, enhanced by carefully chosen examples and visuals and by global retail profiles at the end of each unit. The multichannel approach integrates brick-and-mortar stores, e-tailing, and catalog retailing as key growth strategies for retailers who hope to survive in an uncertain environment, and discusses the effects of the September 11th tragedy on retailing. Chapters develop in a logical, coherent sequence, allowing instructors to build upon concepts as the text progresses.