There are two high-level types of distribution channels, direct and indirect.In the direct distribution channel, goods are moved directly from the Producer to the Consumer.In the indirect distribution channel, the producer will meet consumer demand through third-party wholesalers and/or retailers.Direct channels produce short supply chains, indirect channels produce long chains.

Researchand report on two large producers, Costco and Apple, and describe in detail which distribution approach each company uses -- direct, indirect, or mixed - for at least two products in each company.