Vendor vs. Supplier: What's the Difference?

[Suba]

In running a business, we often encounter the terms vendor and supplier. These two terms are often confusing to many people, often assuming they mean the same thing.
Both play a crucial role in the supply chain, ensuring business continuity. Furthermore, vendors and suppliers also serve as providers of goods and services.
So, in your opinion, what's the difference between a supplier and a vendor?

 

[eLdavis]

The way i understand it, vendors are more like those who sell in small badges, like the retailers, they don't make the products themselves, but get it from somewhere else and market it. While suppliers are the ones who distribute the products. The producers can be different from the suppliers at times.

 

[Starmix]

Of course there's a big difference a supplier offers products for the vendors to sell. All vendors rely on the supplies, be they fruits vegetables, meat, fish and more. The vendor just sells products or services.

 

[Augusta]

suppliers are the early links in a supply chain, whereas vendors are typically closer to the final consumer.