Meaning & use
distribution channel
Last updated
Meaning
nouncountablebusiness
The route a product takes from the company that makes it to the people who buy it, including any wholesalers or shops.
Grammar: Countable: the firm uses several distribution channels.
Patterns
- a distribution channel for something
- sell through a distribution channel
The company sells through two distribution channels: its own website and large retailers.
Choosing the right distribution channel can cut costs.
A short distribution channel means fresher food for customers.
Word forms
| plural | distribution channels |
|---|
Common combinations
- direct distribution channel
- The brand uses a direct distribution channel through its online shop.
- indirect distribution channel
- An indirect distribution channel involves wholesalers.
- establish a distribution channel
- They are trying to establish a distribution channel in Asia.
- multiple distribution channels
- The brand has multiple distribution channels, from supermarkets to apps.
- traditional distribution channel
- The traditional distribution channel for books includes bookstores.
Synonyms and how they differ
- supply chain
- A supply chain is wider, covering everything from raw materials to delivery, while a distribution channel covers the selling and delivery side.
- sales channel
- A sales channel focuses on where customers buy, while a distribution channel includes how goods physically reach them.
- marketing channel
- A marketing channel is used by theorists and is nearly the same, but can include promotion as well as delivery.
- outlet
- An outlet is a single shop or point of sale, not the whole route.
Word family
- distribute verb
- to supply goods to shops or buyers
- distributor noun
- a company that supplies goods to retailers
- distribution noun
- the act of supplying goods widely
- channel noun
- a route or means by which something travels
Commonly confused: distribution channel or supply chain? distribution channel or distributor?
distribution channel vs supply chain
A supply chain starts with raw materials, while a distribution channel starts when the product is finished.
distribution channel vs distributor
A distributor is one company within a channel, not the channel itself.
Practice
The brand sells directly to customers online, so it has a short ___ with no middlemen.
Choose one answer.
A distribution channel is the route from maker to buyer. A production line is where goods are made, not how they reach customers.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “distribution channel”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.