With full-color photographs and expanded discussion of sourcing throughout the book, the 3rd Edition focuses on the process of merchandising and the principles applied to the planning, development, and presentation of product lines in both the manufacturing and retailing sectors. Each chapter includes cases that illustrate how merchandising principles and theories are applied by actual businesses and the chapter learning activities promote an interactive learning environment with multiple course objectives. Students become capable of making sequential and integrated decisions to develop a complete merchandise plan and analyze the effectiveness of the plan. New to this Edition: -- Updated information throughout on the current status of textile and apparel companies, production and trade statistics, applications of technology and relevance to sourcing -- Excel applications added to mathematical learning activities -- Full-color and expanded art program -- Updated case studies include technology components -- Instructor's Guide provides chapter outlines, test questions and answers, problem sets with answers and computer applications