Vahendusturul

Vahendusturul refers to the intermediary market. This is a general economic term describing the market where goods and services are exchanged not directly between the producer and the final consumer, but through one or more intermediaries. These intermediaries add value to the transaction by performing various functions such as distribution, marketing, financing, and risk-bearing.

Intermediaries can take many forms, including wholesalers, retailers, brokers, agents, and distributors. Wholesalers buy goods in large quantities from producers and sell them in smaller quantities to retailers. Retailers then sell to the end consumer. Brokers and agents typically facilitate transactions by connecting buyers and sellers, earning a commission for their services. Distributors often have exclusive rights to sell a producer's products in a specific region.

The existence of a vahendusturg is often driven by efficiencies. Intermediaries can consolidate demand and supply, reduce transaction costs for both producers and consumers, and provide specialized knowledge and services that individual buyers or sellers might lack. For example, a small producer may not have the resources or expertise to reach a wide customer base, making intermediaries essential for market access.

However, intermediaries also add costs to the final price of goods and services. Consumers may pay more due to the markups added by each intermediary in the chain. The effectiveness and necessity of intermediaries can vary significantly depending on the industry, the nature of the product, and the technological advancements available, such as the internet which has enabled direct-to-consumer models and altered the traditional vahendusturg in many sectors.