Oregon is one of the states in the United States where natural resources mean a lot to the income of many. Timber, especially, has an impact on the income of many daily earners in the state. The state is quite rich in mineral resources.

The food processing industry remains an integral part of Oregon’s economy. Leading employers include companies preparing frozen or canned fruits and vegetables and that processing seafood. These companies are also tapping into the natural resources of the state.

With a population of about 4.2 million people, there is quite a market place that is satisfactorily populated. Items like groceries may be cheap because of the peculiarity of the state with agriculture and food processing and the number of companies that deal with that aspect in the state. All these make life better for the average person in the state.

Just like every other American state, there are essentials that are needed daily by Americans. Food, shelter, toiletries, clothes, electronic gadgets, transportation, and a whole lot of essentials are needed by the average human being for existence in the 21^stcentury world.

The retail trade is one that connects directly to the consumers. It is the trade that lays emphasis on how to get the consumer to get the product from a particular retailer and to establish a relationship with that retailer. However, a retailer, most times, does not get the goods directly from the manufacturers or get the goods produced herself. There is the existence of the retail distributor in the supply chain.

Retail distributors are essential links in the supply chain. When manufacturers produce their products, they need distribution for the product. There are several situations where the manufacturer does the distribution to retailers. This is direct store delivery. However, not all manufacturers have the capacity to do their own distribution to retail outlets. For instance, a new brand still seeking market recognition does not have a name in the market and will need to be significantly promoted and pushed. A retail distributor can do a better job of getting the product to several hundred or even thousands of stores.

With about 20% of the working population in the state of Oregon into retail and wholesale trade, there is an impressive amount working in the supply chain. However, there is more to the supply chain than the number involved. There are general goods everyone is interested in but there are specialized products like adult goods, sports goods, smoking goods, and some others.

Trade associations have many opportunities to offer their members. Apart from the fact that there is a united stand against unfavorable policies, there is an opportunity to network within and outside these associations. One such is the Oregon Beer and Wine Distributors Association. This association is made up of winegrowers, brewers, importers, distributors, and retailers.

Columbia Distributing is a retail distributor that gets beverages to thousands of retail outlets in and out of the state of Oregon. It has developed a substantial amount of network over the years to develop the capacity.