| A | B |
| channel of distribution | the path a product takes from producer or manufacturer to final user |
| intermediaries | distribution channel that provides value to producers because they have expertise in areas that producers do not have |
| wholesalers | obtain goods from manufacturers and resell them to industrial users, other wholersalers, and retailers |
| rack jobbers | wholesalers that manage inventory and merchandising for retailers by counting stock, filling it in when needed, and maintaining store displays |
| drop shippers | wholesalers that own the goods they sell but do not physically handle the actual products |
| retailers | channel of distribution that buys goods from wholesalers or directly from manufacturers and resells them to the final consumer |
| brick and mortar retailers | traditional retailers that sell goods to the customer from their own physical stores |
| e-tailing | retailers selling products over the Internet to the customer |
| agents | intermediaries that bring buyers and sellers together |
| direct distribution | goods or services are sold from the producer directly to the consumer |
| indirect distribution | selling the goods or services involves one or more intermediaries between the producer and customer |
| exclusive distribution | form of distribution that involves protected territories in a given geographic area |
| integrated distribution | form of exclusive distribution in which manufacturers own and run their own retail operations |
| selective distribution | form of distribution in which a limited number of outlets in a given geographic area are used to sell the product |
| intensive distribution | form of distribution that involves the use of all suitable outlets to sell a product |
| e-marketplace | an online shopping location |