sales / distribution
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sales
The process or department in a company responsible for selling and distributing products or services to customers.
Unsere neue Kollegin arbeitet im Vertrieb und ist für die Kunden in Süddeutschland zuständig.
Our new colleague works in sales and is responsible for customers in southern Germany.
'Der Vertrieb' (sales / distribution) is the noun related to the verb 'vertreiben'. 'Vertreiben' means to sell and distribute something. This connection helps you understand the meaning of the noun.
Diese Firma vertreibt ihre Produkte in ganz Europa.
This company distributes its products throughout Europe.
In a business context, 'Vertrieb' (sales) is often used in fixed expressions. Typical ones are: 'im Vertrieb arbeiten' (to work in sales), 'den Vertrieb leiten' (to manage sales), 'den Vertrieb aufbauen' (to build up a sales organization), or 'für den Vertrieb zuständig sein' (to be responsible for sales).
Er arbeitet seit fünf Jahren im Vertrieb und kennt alle wichtigen Kunden.
He has worked in sales for five years and knows all the important customers.
This meaning is often found in legal or official texts. When the topic is media (films, software, books) or illegal goods, it usually means distribution, not the sales department.
Der Vertrieb des Films wurde in einigen Ländern verboten.
The distribution of the film was banned in some countries.
trade
'der Handel' and 'der Vertrieb' both belong to the world of sales and goods. 'der Handel' is the general buying and selling of goods or services. It can refer to an entire economic sector. 'der Vertrieb' means more specifically how a company brings and sells its products to customers, and often also the department responsible for this. Learners may confuse the words because both have to do with selling. When speaking generally about buying and selling, 'Handel' fits. When it is about sales channels, customer support, or a company's sales department, 'Vertrieb' is more precise.
Im Vertrieb kümmert sich Sofia um die neuen Kunden.
Sofia works in sales and takes care of the new customers.
Der Handel zwischen den beiden Ländern ist in den letzten Jahren gewachsen.
Trade between the two countries has grown in recent years.