Digital Planet

May 16, 2026 · Industry Insights

Why Leading Beverage Brands Are Dropping Second‑Tier Distributors: The Shift in Channel Power

Top Chinese beverage brands such as Yuanqi Forest, Nongfu Spring and Dongpeng Special Drink are collectively eliminating second‑tier distributors, not out of cruelty but because the traditional hierarchical channel has become a cost‑inefficient bottleneck; digital tools, B2B platforms and instant‑retail pressure are forcing a move toward a flatter, data‑driven distribution model.