Distribution channels is a core concept within marketing, logistics, and supply chain management that defines the network of interdependent organizations or intermediaries involved in the process of making a product or service available for use or consumption by the final consumer. As an academic concept, it investigates the design, structure, function, and management of these pathways, including the strategic decisions concerning direct versus indirect routes, the roles and relationships of various intermediaries (such as wholesalers and retailers), and the optimization of product, information, and financial flows from point of origin to point of consumption. The study of distribution channels is significant for understanding market access, operational efficiency, cost structures, and the strategic positioning of firms in delivering value across the supply chain.