A key challenge for retail is to reconcile the changing positions and preferences of consumers and manufacturers, or to compile them into a meaningful offering in the role of a gatekeeper. The increasing importance of information technologies and the associated options for channel selection by consumers, as well as the challenges arising from the implementation of relationship-oriented marketing, are central to this discussion. In 20 contributions, renowned authors from academia and practice address issues of resource- and relationship-oriented retail research, customer relationship management, and innovative questions regarding sales channel selection.