industries involved in distribution, for example those involved in moving, storing, or selling goods:
• The latest monthly survey of distributive trades found low growth in retailing activity.
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distributive trades UK US noun [plural]
► COMMERCE businesses that buy and sell other companies' products for profit, such as wholesalers and retailers: »
The latest distributive trades survey showed that 47% of retailers reported increased sales.
Financial and business terms. 2012.