Management Information Systems (MIS) is a system consisting of people, machines, procedures, data base and data models, as its

components. The system gathers da ta from Internal and External sources of an organization; processes it and suppl ies Management Information to assist managers in the process in decision making. Thus it is safe to conclude that an information system is "a system consisting of the network of all communication channels used within an organization". An information system comprises of all the components that collect, manipulate, and disseminate data or information. It usually includes hardware, software, peo ple, communications systems such as telephone lines, and the data itself. The ac tivities involved include inputting data, processing of data into information, s torage of data and information, and the production of outputs such as management reports. Retailing as simply defined is the end process of supply chain management where there is a direct interaction with the end-user or the customer. Hence forth ava ilability, assortment, display, proper handling of product plays a vital role in a competitive world. STAGES OF RETAILING Retailing does not only comprise of selling the products to customer but it is a lso taking care of the entire product movement cycle. This path from manufacture r to the consumer has a very important stage known as the Retail Supply Chain. T he retailing cycle involves the following key components: 1. Suppliers and/or Manufacturers 2. Logistics Partners 3. Warehouse 4. Distribution Centres 5. Stores 6. Customers