ABSTRACT

Petroleum products marketing has constituted one of the major ways of enhancing the distribution and availability of petroleum products in Abia state. It is on this background the writer was motivated to carry out an analysis of the marketing and distribution of petroleum products by independent marketers in Abia State. However, the. study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the distributors; ascertain the distribution channel, market structure and concentration; measure the pricing and spatial efficiency in the marketing of petroleum products among others. The study adopted a sample size of 53 from a population of 60. Primary data for the study was collected using questionnaire which were later analyzed using simple percentages. Pearson product moment correlation and simple regression were adopted to test the, hypotheses of the study. After the study, the researcher concluded that the marketing and distribution of petroleum products enhances marketing efficiency and product availability, despite the problems encountered. Thus, the researcher recommended the proper use of distribution strategies in the petroleum products marketing in Abia State.