What does the acronym 'B2C' stand for in e-commerce?

B2C stands for “business-to-consumer” in e-commerce.

The term describes transactions in which a business sells products or services directly to individual customers. Online retailers, streaming subscriptions, food-delivery apps, and digital ticket sellers can all operate through B2C models. The phrase focuses on the relationship between the seller and the end customer, not necessarily on whether the sale happens through a website, app, or physical store.

B2C is commonly contrasted with B2B, or business-to-business, in which one company sells to another. C2C, or consumer-to-consumer, describes marketplaces where individuals sell to other individuals, such as many auction and resale listings. “Direct-to-consumer” is related but narrower: it usually emphasizes a brand selling without wholesalers or traditional retail intermediaries.