distributeurs

Distributeurs is a term with two main senses in a Francophone and international business context: intermediaries in the supply chain and vending devices. In the business sense, a distributor is a company that purchases products from manufacturers and resells them through retailers or directly to customers. They add value by marketing, warehousing, logistics, credit facilities, and after-sales service. Distributors may operate under exclusive, selective, or intensive distribution models, affecting how products reach markets and how brands manage channel partners.

Distribution channels and models describe how products move from producers to end users. Exclusive distribution grants a manufacturer rights to a single or limited number of distributors within a territory; selective distribution uses a chosen subset of retailers; intensive distribution aims to maximize market coverage. Intermediaries support market access but can create channel conflict if goals diverge. Contracts typically specify terms such as pricing, territorial rights, marketing support, and service levels, shaping the relationship among manufacturers, distributors, and retailers.

In the vending context, distributeur refers to a vending machine. These devices dispense food, beverages, tickets, or other items in exchange for payment. They vary by product type and payment methods, with modern machines accepting coins, banknotes, cards, or mobile payments. Telemetry and IoT enable stock monitoring, maintenance scheduling, and remote diagnostics, while regular servicing, replenishment, and hygiene are ongoing considerations.

The term may also apply to wholesalers and other distribution actors across sectors, depending on contractual arrangements and market practices.