Focused for decades on things as diverse as tools for oil and gas drillers, highpowered lasers and state$-$of$-$the$-$art speaker systems, the De Beers scientists at Element Six have moved into new territory in recent months as the company sets its sights on a lucrative market it traditionally shunned: the production of synthetic jewelry stones. Jewelry designed using these new stones are now available in $4$ retail locations in the United States and directly to consumers from an e$-$commerce website. Which type of for$-$profit marketing do the retail and ecommerce channels represent?

business$-$to$-$business $($B$2$B$)$

business$-$to$-$wholesaler $($B$2$W$)$

business$-$to$-$government $($B$2$G$)$

business$-$to$-$consumer $($B$2$C$)$