What does physical distribution aim to achieve?

Physical distribution primarily focuses on the efficient movement of products from the point of origin to the point of consumption. This process encompasses various activities, including transportation, warehousing, inventory management, order fulfillment, and logistics coordination. By optimizing these functions, companies can reduce costs, enhance delivery speeds, and improve overall customer satisfaction.

The efficient movement of products is crucial for maintaining a competitive advantage in the market, as it directly impacts a company's ability to respond to customer demands, manage inventory levels effectively, and minimize waste. This is particularly important in supply chain management, where timely delivery and costs are critical factors in maintaining customer relationships and profitability.

In contrast, the other options pertain to different aspects of marketing and product management. The development of new products focuses on innovation, branding addresses how products are perceived in the marketplace, and pricing strategy relates to setting prices to maximize profit and market share. While all these elements are important to a company's overall strategy, they do not fall under the specific goals of physical distribution.