Which term describes the purchasing, pricing, display, and sale of a product?

The correct choice is 'merchandising' because this term encompasses the entire process involved in making a product available to consumers. It includes various aspects such as the purchasing of goods, determining their pricing, arranging and displaying them effectively to attract customers, and ultimately facilitating the sale of those products.

Merchandising plays a critical role in how products are presented in a retail environment, influencing customer perceptions and buying behavior. It involves strategic decisions meant to optimize visual appeal and accessibility, which can lead to increased sales and customer satisfaction. This comprehensive approach to managing product offerings highlights the importance of merchandising in the overall business strategy.

In contrast, marketing refers to the broader activities involved in promoting and selling products, including market research and advertising, but does not focus solely on the presentation and sale of products. Advertising specifically relates to communicating information about products to potential customers through various media, while promoting generally refers to increasing awareness or sales without necessarily implicating the logistics of product display or pricing.