A wholesaler--especially one that promotes as well as physically distributes products or that has an exclusive agreement--is often called a _____.

A.
broker

B.
drop shipper

C.
distributor

D.
manufacturer's sales branch

C. distributor

To find the answer to this question, you can start by understanding the role of a wholesaler. A wholesaler is an entity that purchases goods in large quantities from manufacturers or producers and sells them to retailers or other businesses.

Based on this definition, we can analyze the options provided:

A. A broker is an intermediary who facilitates transactions between buyers and sellers but does not physically distribute products. This option is unlikely.

B. A drop shipper is a retailer who accepts customer orders and then arranges for the products to be shipped directly from the manufacturer or wholesaler to the customer. This option does not match the description of a wholesaler.

C. A distributor is a company that purchases products from manufacturers in bulk and sells them to retailers or other businesses. This option aligns with the definition of a wholesaler, so it is a strong possibility.

D. A manufacturer's sales branch refers to a branch office or subsidiary of a manufacturer that handles the sales and distribution of its products. While a manufacturer's sales branch may distribute products, it is not generally considered a wholesaler.

Taking all this information into account, the most likely answer to the question is C. distributor.