The picture of Georgia in the 19^thcentury and early years used to be one with plantation mansions and farmlands filled with corn and wheat. It was practically the agrarian lifestyle. However, Georgia of today has changed. The Georgia of today is where airplane parts and machinery, food products, automobiles, and other items are manufactured.

Manufacturing is the state’s leading economic activity. In 1996 the leading industrial activity, in terms of its contribution to income in the state, was the production of textiles, including the manufacture of apparel. The manufacture of transportation equipment, including automobiles and aircraft, also was important to the state. Other leading activities were food processing, the production of chemicals, paper and pulp milling, printing and publishing, lumber and wood production, and the manufacture of rubber and plastic items. Georgia is a leading national producer of paper and board, tufted textile products, and processed chicken.

The 8^th most populated state in the United States and with a population of 10.66 million residents, the state of Georgia is a fertile trading state for retailer and retail distributors. As much as manufacturing goes down in the state, not everything needed is produced. It takes suppliers and wholesalers to see how they can get supplies to this state.

Just like every other American state, there are essentials that are needed daily by Americans. Food, shelter, toiletries, clothes, electronic gadgets, transportation, and a whole lot of essentials are needed by the average human being for existence in the 21^stcentury world.

The retail trade is one that connects directly to the consumers. It is the trade that lays emphasis on how to get the consumer to get the product from a particular retailer and to establish a relationship with that retailer. However, a retailer, most times, does not get the goods directly from the manufacturers or get the goods produced herself. There is the existence of the retail distributor in the supply chain.

Retail distributors are essential links in the supply chain. When manufacturers produce their products, they need distribution for the product. There are several situations where the manufacturer does the distribution to retailers. This is direct store delivery. However, not all manufacturers have the capacity to do their own distribution to retail outlets. For instance, a new brand still seeking market recognition does not have a name in the market and will need to be significantly promoted and pushed. A retail distributor can do a better job of getting the product to several hundred or even thousands of stores.

With about 20% of the working population in the state of Georgia into retail and wholesale trade, there is an impressive amount working in the supply chain. However, there is more to the supply chain than the number involved. There are general goods everyone is interested in but there are specialized products like adult goods, sports goods, smoking goods, and some others.

General Produce LLC is a retail distributor that services retail, foodservice centers, and wholesale customers through the state.