A relatively small state but a pioneer in manufacturing, Rhode Island is one very important state in the United States. The state is one with a small size but still with a relatively high population in the country because of its openness. When many other states were predominantly creating a fusion between the state and government, Rhode Island had a policy that separated the state from religion. Different people with different religious beliefs had the opportunity to observe their religions. The oldest synagogue in the United States is in Touro, Rhode Island. It was built between 1759 and 1763. This has had a lot of economic impact on the state.

With the influx of people into the state because of the conducive religious atmosphere, a lot of people flushed to the state. There have been several stages of development in the state ever since.

Rhode Island has a population of about 1.06 million people. This may not seem like much but this is relatively a wide market. The most populated and largest city, Providence, has the potentials for new and established retailers.

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 Rhode Island 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.

An established retail distributor in Rhode Island is Genere Food Corp. This retail distributor distributes to retailers, foodservice distributors, restaurants, and other commercial points where food is sold.