A merchant wholesaler is a person or company that buys goods from manufacturers or other wholesalers and then resells them to retailers, business-to-business customers or other users. They typically operate in the distribution channel between the manufacturer and the retailer. They take title to the goods they sell, meaning they own the products until they are sold to their customers. This distinguishes them from agents who do not own the products they sell but earn a commission for facilitating the sale. Merchant wholesalers may also engage in merchandising and sometimes make retail sales as well.