Concept:Middlemen act as intermediaries between producers and final consumers.Explanation:The main function of middlemen, such as wholesalers and retailers, is to ease the movement of goods from producers to buyers.They purchase goods in large quantities from producers and then sell them in smaller units to consumers.This process is known as breaking the bulk.They do not provide research facilities, purchase raw materials, or design the product, as these are functions of other parties.Answer:D. breaking the bulk.