Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
A distribution channel is a chain of businesses or intermediaries through which a good or service passes until it reaches the end consumer. It can include wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and even the internet.
Related terms
Wholesaler: An entity that buys goods in bulk from manufacturers and sells them in smaller quantities to retailers or other businesses.
Retailer: A business that sells products directly to consumers for their personal use.
The complete network of entities—such as suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors—that work together to produce and deliver a product to the final consumer