The relationship between the manufacturer and supplier during the procurement cycle is very similar to the relationship between

A) customer and retailer.
B) retailer and distributor.
C) distributor and manufacturer.

The relationship between the manufacturer and supplier is similar to the relationship between the distributor and manufacturer because the supplier acts as an intermediary between the manufacturer and the end customer, just as a distributor does. The retailer and customer relationship (choice A) is not as relevant in the procurement cycle, and the retailer and distributor relationship (choice B) is not as directly related to the manufacturer as the other two options.