Overview

The 261,000 merchant wholesalers in the US purchase goods from suppliers and sell a mix of those goods to customers. Major customer segments include manufacturers, other distributors, retailers, exporters, institutions (i.e. schools and hospitals), and service providers (i.e. restaurants and hotels). Wholesalers are also known as wholesale merchants, distributors, jobbers, drop-shippers, or import/export merchants.

Competing with Suppliers

The traditional flow of goods from manufacturer to wholesaler and then to retailer or service provider is beginning to break down.

Expansion Pressure 

Rapid growth in e-commerce and consumer demand for faster order fulfillment are putting pressure on wholesalers to set up distribution facilities closer to major customers and carry a wider range of goods.