Meaning & use
independent distributor
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Meanings
nouncountablebusiness
A person or company that buys products from a maker and sells them on, while running its own business rather than working as an employee.
Grammar: Has a plural: independent distributors sell the goods in many regions.
Patterns
- an independent distributor of something
- an independent distributor for a company
She works as an independent distributor of organic skin-care products.
The brand relies on independent distributors to reach small shops.
As an independent distributor, he sets his own hours and pays his own taxes.
nouncountablebusiness
In the film and music trade, a company not owned by a major studio or label that releases and promotes works.
Grammar: Often appears with of or for: an independent distributor for small films.
Patterns
- an independent distributor for something
The documentary found an independent distributor after the festival.
An independent distributor agreed to release the band's first album.
Word forms
| plural | independent distributors |
|---|
Common combinations
- become an independent distributor
- He became an independent distributor after leaving his office job.
- sign with an independent distributor
- The studio signed with an independent distributor for its release.
- independent distributor agreement
- Read the independent distributor agreement carefully before signing.
- authorized independent distributor
- Buy only from an authorized independent distributor.
- network of independent distributors
- The firm has a network of independent distributors across Europe.
Synonyms and how they differ
- wholesaler
- A wholesaler buys in bulk and sells to shops, while an independent distributor may also sell directly to consumers.
- reseller
- A reseller simply sells goods again and may not hold an agreement with the maker.
- agent
- An agent usually sells for the maker without owning the goods, but a distributor buys the stock first.
- retailer
- A retailer sells only to the final customer, whereas a distributor sits between maker and seller.
Opposites
Word family
- distribute verb
- to supply goods or share things out
- distribution noun
- the process of supplying goods
- distributor noun
- a person or company that supplies goods
- independence noun
- freedom from control by others
Commonly confused: independent distributor or dependent distributor?
independent distributor vs dependent distributor
A dependent distributor would be tied to or controlled by the maker, which is the opposite of the independent arrangement.
Practice
An independent distributor differs from an employee mainly because the distributor ____.
Choose one answer.
An independent distributor is self-employed and usually buys products to sell on. A fixed salary describes an employee, and the other options are unrelated.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “independent distributor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.