Meaning & use
selective distribution
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Meanings
noununcountablebusiness
A marketing strategy where a manufacturer sells its products through only a limited number of chosen retailers or outlets.
Grammar: Used as an uncountable noun; you can say 'a selective distribution system' or 'selective distribution agreements'.
Patterns
- selective distribution of something
- selective distribution agreement
- use selective distribution
The cosmetics brand uses selective distribution, selling only through approved pharmacies and department stores.
Under selective distribution, the manufacturer can refuse to supply retailers that do not meet its standards.
Selective distribution helps luxury goods maintain a premium image.
noununcountablebusinesslegal
A legal arrangement in which a supplier allows only certain resellers to sell its products, often to protect brand quality or image.
Grammar: Common in EU competition law; often appears in phrases like 'selective distribution system' or 'selective distribution network'.
Patterns
- selective distribution system
- selective distribution network
- justify selective distribution
The court ruled that the selective distribution system was lawful because it aimed to preserve the luxury image of the products.
Companies must ensure their selective distribution agreements comply with competition rules.
A selective distribution network can limit price competition among retailers.
Common combinations
- selective distribution system
- The selective distribution system ensures that only authorized dealers sell the watches.
- selective distribution agreement
- They signed a selective distribution agreement with three local retailers.
- use selective distribution
- Many high-end fashion brands use selective distribution to control their image.
- selective distribution network
- The company expanded its selective distribution network across Europe.
Synonyms and how they differ
- exclusive distribution
- Exclusive distribution is stricter: only one retailer in a given area may sell the product, while selective distribution allows several chosen retailers.
- limited distribution
- Limited distribution is a broader term that can mean any restriction on where products are sold, not necessarily a formal chosen-retailer system.
Opposites
Word family
- selective adjective
- Careful in choosing; affecting only some things or people.
- distribution noun
- The process of supplying goods to shops or customers.
- distributor noun
- A company or person that supplies goods to retailers.
Commonly confused: selective distribution or exclusive distribution?
selective distribution vs exclusive distribution
Exclusive distribution gives one seller sole rights in an area; selective distribution chooses several approved sellers. They are not interchangeable.
Practice
A luxury watchmaker decides to sell its products only through a small number of authorized jewelers. This strategy is called ______.
Choose one answer.
Selective distribution means selling through a limited number of chosen retailers, which fits the watchmaker's approach. Exclusive distribution would mean only one retailer in an area, and intensive distribution would mean selling everywhere.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “selective distribution”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.