The term ‘sales channel‘ refers to the method or pathway through which products or services are sold to customers. As a phrase, it is relatively modern, primarily arising in the context of marketing and business strategy, particularly with the development of various distribution methods in the late 20th century.

The term became more prominent with the growth of e-commerce and digital marketing, which expanded traditional sales channels (like retail and wholesale) to include online platforms and direct sales. The concept encompasses various methods, such as direct sales, retail, online sales, and partnerships, focusing on how businesses reach and serve their customers.

The etymological roots of the individual components, ‘sales‘ and ‘channel,‘ contribute to the understanding of the term as a whole, but the fusion of these words into ‘sales channel‘ aligns specifically with modern business lexicon and practices.