The three major variations of online catalogs are grouped by which of the following?

The grouping of online catalogs into vendors, intermediaries, and buyer exchange systems reflects how these catalogs function within the supply chain and marketplace.

Vendors are the suppliers or manufacturers who offer their products directly through an online catalog. This means that the catalog represents the products that are available straight from the source, allowing buyers to access goods directly from producers.

Intermediaries refer to entities that act as middlemen in the transaction process. They may include wholesalers or third-party sellers who curate products from various vendors and present them in an online catalog format. This facilitates a wider selection of goods for buyers who may not engage with multiple vendors individually.

Buyer exchange systems represent platforms where multiple buyers and sellers interact, often combining features of various vendors and intermediaries together. This type of catalog allows for a more dynamic marketplace where buyers can compare different offerings, prices, and suppliers all in one place.

This classification helps in understanding the roles that different entities play in the online commerce ecosystem and how they contribute to the distribution and availability of products.