A facility designed to store and move goods toward wholesalers, retailers, or customers is called a ______.

• A. Warehouse
• B. Factory
• C. Distribution center
• D. Cross-docking facility

Answer: (C)

A distribution center is a facility designed to store goods for a short period and move them efficiently toward wholesalers, retailers, or customers. It focuses on the flow of products through the supply chain—receiving, storing, picking, packing, and shipping to the next destination. This distinguishes it from a warehouse, which is primarily about long-term storage, and a factory, which manufactures goods. Cross-docking is a specialized approach where items are transferred directly from inbound to outbound with little to no storage, which is a more specific method within distribution operations. Since the item described emphasizes storing and moving goods toward the next link in the chain, the best fit is a distribution center.