"Logistics management involves the integration and coordination of various marketing activities so that end markets are served in most effective manner." Discuss the statement.

Logistics Management involves the integration and coordination of various marketing activities so that end markets are served in the most effective manner. Both the marketing as well as logistics keep on playing an important role in creating satisfied customers in international markets as marketing function is aimed at 'creation of demand' through product, price and promotion mixes and logistics function is more operationally aimed at 'creating value for customer satisfaction'. Logistics thus is aimed at getting the right product to the right place at the right time whereby the typical interface between marketing and logistics has been delivering on enhanced customer services. Firms whether engaged in domestic or international business leverage logistics management with marketing function for creating the time, place and form utilities and advertise and promote themselves as firms with logistical superiority. Specific areas of integration and coordination between marketing and logistics activities can be summarized as under: To reduce costs of physical distribution through optimum number and location of warehouses, more efficient materials handling, better order processing, etc. To gain competitive advantage by means of quick and reliable delivery and error free order processing. To improve customer service by minimizing time and efforts in physical distribution. To increase sales by ensuring availability of products To develop effective communication system so as to respond quickly to inquiries and complaints of customers.