Final answer:
Exclusive distribution is the strategy that enables a seller to maintain a specific image and manage merchandise flow into an area, often used for high-end or niche products to retain prestige and control pricing.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of distribution that helps a seller maintain a particular image and control the flow of merchandise into an area is b) Exclusive distribution. This strategy involves selling products through one or a few retailers within a specific area, which allows the sellers to choose the retailers that best match the image they want to convey and manage their products' market saturation. Exclusive distribution often aligns with high-end or niche products where the manufacturer wants to maintain a certain level of prestige and pricing control.