What role do distributors play in the business network?

Distributors are a vital part of the business network, primarily acting as intermediaries that facilitate the distribution of goods from manufacturers to retailers or directly to consumers. They are specialized entities that handle specific product categories, allowing them to focus on the logistics, marketing, and sales aspects for those products. By doing so, they streamline the process and make it more efficient, ensuring that products reach the market in a timely manner while also providing support to both manufacturers and retailers.

This specialized role enables distributors to build strong relationships with manufacturers and retailers alike. They often have an in-depth understanding of the market, customer needs, and the operational challenges involved in distributing the products they handle. By focusing on particular product lines, they can create added value through expertise in sales strategies, inventory management, and customer service.

In contrast, the other answer choices represent roles that do not align with the specific function of distributors. Manufacturers produce goods, retailers sell the final products to consumers, and logistics coordinators focus on managing the supply chain operations, including transportation and storage. None of these roles encapsulate the unique intermediary function that distributors perform in the business network.