Tennessee is one of the states in the United States where farming has been a major profession for centuries. The strategic location and the fertile lands reinforce the age-long practice in the state. However, like many American states, industrialization has taken over farming and a little percentage of the state is still involved in the traditional profession.

The 16^thmost populous state in the United State and with an estimated population of 6.85 million, there is a large market for retail distributors in the state. There are bound to be several retailers looking to satisfy the high demand for essential necessities.

It is still quite impossible for the state to do all of its production but retail distributors can always get needed products from other states across to the state of Tennessee.

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 Tennessee 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.

A retail distributor in the state is Empire Distributors. This is a beverage distributor to over 1500 retail outlets across four states of which Tennessee is one. This is a very large distributor than can carry out large capacity supplies.

To be a wholesaler of alcoholic drink in the state, you are required to get a wholesaler license which will enable you to distribute to retail outlets where alcohol is on sale and other restaurants.

There are other retail distributors in the state who service several retail outlets and ensure that the state gets sufficient supply of needed products.