This document defines marketing channels and describes different types of marketing channels. It states that a marketing channel is the set of activities needed to move goods from production to consumption, including all institutions and marketing processes involved. It then lists some key roles of marketing channels in marketing strategies such as linking producers to buyers, performing sales and promotion, and influencing pricing. The document goes on to describe several common types of marketing channels including direct from manufacturer to customer, from manufacturer to retailer to customer, from manufacturer to wholesaler to customer, and one involving multiple intermediaries from manufacturer to agent to wholesaler to retailer to customer.