abbreviation

DTC

dee-tee-SEE

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DTC (abbreviation) means Direct-to-consumer: describing a business that sells its own products straight to shoppers, usually online, without going through wholesalers or retail shops. Example: “The mattress company built a DTC brand entirely on social media advertising.”

abbreviation

Direct-to-consumer: describing a business that sells its own products straight to shoppers, usually online, without going through wholesalers or retail shops.

"The mattress company built a DTC brand entirely on social media advertising."

"They abandoned department stores and went DTC."

Diagnostic trouble code: the standard code stored by a vehicle's computer to identify a specific fault, read out by a scanner during servicing.

"The scanner pulled a single DTC pointing at the oxygen sensor."

How to use DTC

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishIn business it means selling straight to the customer with no shop in between.

When to use it

Business jargon, common in retail, e-commerce and marketing writing. Often written D2C, which means exactly the same thing. Used both as a modifier and, loosely, as a verb phrase ("to go DTC").

Memory tip

Hyphenate the spelled-out form when it sits before a noun: a direct-to-consumer brand.

Easily confused with

DTC → B2C B2B

Common pairings

DTC brand DTC channel go DTC DTC sales

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C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

C2 · Advanced serendipity Fortunate discoveries made entirely by accident.

Gen Z slang rizz Charm — the ability to attract a romantic interest.

B2 · Intermediate empathy The capacity to share another person’s feelings.

C1 · Advanced nonchalant Casually calm and relaxed; unconcerned.

Internet slang delulu Delusional — believing something against the odds.

Etymology nostalgia Greek nostos “return home” + algos “pain”.

Test yourself on “DTC” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

The mattress company built a _____ brand entirely on social media advertising.

Synonyms

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direct-to-consumer D2C

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between DTC and B2C?

B2C simply means a business sells to consumers rather than to other businesses, including through shops and marketplaces. DTC is narrower: the brand also owns the sales channel and the customer relationship, cutting out retailers and distributors.

Why do brands go DTC?

They keep the retailer's margin, control how the product is presented and own the customer data for repeat sales. The trade-off is that they must fund their own marketing, logistics and customer service.

Is DTC the same as D2C?

Yes, they are two spellings of the same term. DTC is more common in North American business writing, D2C in the UK and Europe, and neither is more correct.

What is the meaning of DTC?

"DTC" (abbreviation) means direct-to-consumer: describing a business that sells its own products straight to shoppers, usually online, without going through wholesalers or retail shops.