Distribution is the process of getting a record into the record store.
Distribution includes warehousing, a sales force, inventory control, shipping, billing, and all the other things involved in wholesaling a product to individual stores and chains. It is a lot of hard work, and it is very difficult for a local band or small independent record label to get a distribution deal. A few definitions are necessary at this point. A major distributor is a huge organization owned by major label. These companies distribute the major label releases of big stars that you hear on the radio and that sell millions.