The middleman (or intermediary) concept is frequently used in marketing literature to
denote a particular category of market actors. A major problem is that the notion of a
middleman is used to describe actors with quite different roles in the market system.
Consequently, the interpretation of the concept becomes somewhat fluid and vague. In
the literature taking the marketing management perspective of the manufacturer,
middlemen are generally considered as important - but often antagonistic - counterparts.
They are perceived to be part of distribution channels. This one-sided perspective
conceals the real impact of middlemen in the market system. In particular it becomes
problematic when we want to interpret the recent trends in distribution. The very
concept of a middleman implies an actor in-between two other actors. In many cases the
middleman is analysed primarily in terms of its relation to these two other actors. The
purpose of this paper is to put in focus the business of the middleman rather than its role
as perceived by others. We believe this perspective to yield more accurate insight in the
business logic of middlemen. Therefore, this approach may be of help both in order to
deal more effectively with middlemen and to identify alternative strategies for their
businesses.