Distributor is an intermediary entity between a the producer of a product and another entity in the distribution channel or supply chain, such as a retailer, a value-added reseller (VAR) or a system integrator.

A supplier can manufacture or produce goods, but they don't have the resources or channels to sell them to retailers or their customers directly.

Distributors, on the other hand, have the right channels and marketing abilities to distribute their products to wholesalers and sometimes directly to retailers too.