distribution chain(the series of businesses or organizations that are involved in transporting, storing, and selling goods to customers. For example, a manufacturer sells the product to a distributor who sells the product to retailers (= stores) that then sell the product to customers: "Since the company keeps very little inventory, its supply and distribution chains must be perfectly synchronized to fulfill customer orders successfully. "VAT is collected at every stage in the goods and services chain of distribution. CBED Alexander Demidov)
distribution chain(the series of businesses that deal with a product between when it is produced and the time that customers receive it: pushing products through the distribution chain • By supplying direct we cut out an entire level of the distribution chain. • All links in the distribution chain-importers, wholesalers and retailers-need a licence to handle these products. ⇨ SUPPLY CHAIN. OBED Alexander Demidov)
alliance network(термин, используемый рядом фирм для характеристики других юридических лиц, не подчиняющихся им формально, но находящихся в дружественных отношениях (подкрепленных в большинстве случаев соответствующими договоренностями) Vadim Rouminsky)