We study how to determine backorder cost at the warehouse in a one-warehouse/N-retailer distribution system such that channel efficiency (minimizing total system costs) is improved. We define backorder costs as compensation that the warehouse pays to the retailer for the number or orders delayed due to stockout at the warehouse. We answer two questions : (1) "Should the warehouse compensate for his backorderulcorner" and (2) "Is there any equilibrium for both the warehouse and retailer while they are seeking for their own profitsulcorner" We show that : (1) "The warehouse should pay backorder costs for the sake of channel efficiency." and (2) "There exists an equilibrium that is infiuenced by the amount of compensation." First, we prove the existence of a mutually acceptable equilibrium for both the warehouse and the retailer, which is different from Nash equilibrium because they independently maximize their respective profits with incomplete information about each other. Second, we prove that the equilibrium moves to a point such that channel efficiency is improved if the warehouse compensates the retailers for his backorders. We show the existence of an optimal compensation that minimizes total system costs. Third, we show that the amount of optimal compensation increases as the ratio of mean lead time for the warehouse to that for the retailer increases.ouse to that for the retailer increases.