Internal Trade requires a number of activities, so that there is smooth flow of goods from the producers/sellers to the buyer. the various functions of internal trade are as follows :
1) Buying and Assemblling :
Goods are purchased by the final consumer for consumption. The goods are also purchased by tghe intermediatries like retailers and wholesalers for re-sale.
2) Standardisation :
Standardisation is a mental process of fixing certain standard or norms for a product. Standardisation is required in the case of manufactured goods. It helps in efficient performance of the various trading functions particularly buying and selling.
3) Grading :
It is a physical process of divinding goods into separate lots based on fetaures such as to size, shape, color,design, weight, quality, etc. A gradeindicated=s a certain standard of quantity.
4) Branding :
Branding means giving a name to the product. By naming a product, the mannufacturer gives a separate identity to his product. he can easily distinguish his product from that of other competitiors.
5) Packing, Marketiung, and Labelling :
Proper packing helps to protect and preserve the product in transit. It also helps to sell the product in the market.
6) Marketing Research :
It is a systematic process of gathering, recording and analysing data about problems relating to marketing of goodss and services.
7) Sales Promotions and Advertising :
Sales promotion is a process of promoting sales in the market. It consists of free gifts, discounts, after-sale-sarvice and other sales promotion techniques.
8) Warehousing :
The wholesalers and retailers have to maintain or keep necessary stocks to meet the demands of the consumers. There is generally a gap between production and consumption. such gap can be filled by effective warehousing.
9) Transporting :
wholesalers purchase goods in bulk from the producers and then makes necessary arrangements to transport the goods to the warehouse. Also the goods are transported from the wholesalre's warehouse to the retaikler's store or go-down.
10) Other functiuons :
- Insuring the goods against fire, floods, etc.
- Financing the trade; wholesale offer goods on credit to retaiklers and retailer may grants credit to customer.