Channel members can include manufacturers, wholesalers, distributers, retailers, agents, brokers, and ultimately final consumers Marketing channels play an important role in moving products from manufacturers to final consumers.

They also help with the logistical distribution of products by sorting, storing, and bulk-breaking so consumers can purchase what they want in the desired quantity. In this chapter, the functions and benefits of marketing channels are explored.

distribution — the process of making products and services available and accessible to consumers to purchase. retailer — a type of intermediary where retailers take ownership of the product and their sole focus is on reaching the end user or customer directly. bulk-breaking — occurs when an intermediary takes a large bundling of a manufacturer’s product and breaks it down into single units to be distributed to retailers based on the retailer’s order. marketing channel — system of people, organizations, and activities that work together to make goods and services available to consumers for use.