身边的经济学·社会常识英语30篇（1）

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电商与中间商

You order shoes directly from a factory website—but most online purchases still go through platforms like Amazon or Taobao.
These platforms handle payments, reviews, returns, and even customer service—tasks small sellers struggle to manage alone.
They also help buyers compare prices, check seller ratings, and feel safer before clicking ‘buy’.
Still, their fees (often 10–25%) reduce what small makers earn per sale.
Some brands now use social media to sell directly—but they must build trust, logistics, and support themselves.
Middlemen haven’t disappeared; they’ve just changed shape—from local shopkeepers to digital gatekeepers.
What hasn’t changed is their core job: reducing uncertainty between strangers doing business.
The real question isn’t ‘Are middlemen useful?’ but ‘Who controls the rules—and who benefits most?’