This book provides a rare historical analysis on the development and importance of marketing channels to Supply Chain Management (SCM) in Northern America. In particular, the book looks at the period 1850 to the present, to understand the evolution, the trends and the current status. It aims to bring back this forgotten area of research, to the mainstream marketing thought process.
A general overview of developments in marketing channels will help the reader understand what changes occurred and how some of these changes impacted marketing education and practice. First, the book provides an overview of the historical background of how manufacturing and distribution evolved in the 19th century. Next, the marketing channels and supply chain networks are defined. Then the three time periods within 1850- present are covered. The book explains how supply chain has become prominent in organizations, the movement to non-store retailing and the omnichannel is discussed to focus on recent developments in distribution. Finally, developments that relate to the academic discipline and implications for the future are examined. The book concludes by describing the relationship between marketing channels and supply chain today, based on historical analysis.

Robert D. Tamilia, Honorary Professor of Marketing, School of Business/École des sciences de la gestion, Université du Québec à Montréal, has research interests in the areas of channels and macromarketing, marketing and retail history, development of marketing thought and theory, as well as supply management systems in agribusiness. His textbook on Aldersonian Marketing Thought (with Ben Wooliscroft and Stan Shapiro) has received outstanding reviews.

O.C. Ferrell is James T. Pursell, Sr. Eminent Scholar in Ethics, Raymond J. Harbert College of Business at Auburn University. Dr. Ferrell is co-author of several leading textbooks including Business Ethics: Ethical Decision Making and Cases (12th edition), Marketing (19th edition), Marketing Strategy (6th edition), Business and Society (4th edition) Management (3rd edition) and Introduction to Business (12th edition).
Karen Hopkins is a lecturer at Auburn University. Her research focuses on public health issues from a consumer behavior perspective. Using qualitative methods and surveys, the research program seeks to describe consumer experiences, explain and measure decision making processes, attitudes and behaviors of patients as consumers, and develop an understanding of the consumer experience for the purpose of informing effective marketing and health promotion messages.