According to Investopedia, a distribution channel is a chain of businesses or intermediaries through which a good or service passes until it reaches the final buyer or the end consumer. Distribution channels can include wholesalers, retailers, distributors, and even the Internet. (cite https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/distribution-channel.asp)
Every business owner is looking to develop additional distribution channels to expand reach and grow revenue. IMS’ tens of thousands of clients are a natural distribution channel as our clients are actively looking to purchase from other IMS clients. With this captive audience of ready and willing buyers waiting for to buy your product or service, your business benefits from additional exposure to non-IMS clients, increasing your reach and growing your revenue.
"Barter is AWESOME. We love it! Our first thought, whenever we have a purchase to make for the office, is to check the IMS on-line directory. If we don't find the item that our company needs there, we contact our trade broker, who has always been able to assist us. We have spent our IMS trade dollars on copiers, printers, letterhead, business cards, truck lettering, business and personal travel, employee incentives, customer appreciation gifts and charitable donations. And to top it all off, IMS' travel department booked accommodations for us in Europe!!! Great stuff..."