Not all product-based companies are also manufacturers. In fact, many online brands buy everything from wholesalers. These suppliers sell products in bulk at affordable prices so that direct-to-consumer brands can brand them, add a markup, and sell them at a profit.
And while you may think that wholesale is only for large retailers and global companies, small businesses also source their goods from wholesalers.
What are wholesale suppliers for small businesses?
Small business wholesalers are business-to-business (B2B) suppliers who sell products to other businesses at a discounted price. Buyers then resell the products individually directly to consumers, making a profit. Wholesalers may manufacture the products themselves or contract with others to do the work. In some cases, uk email list they do a mix of both.
Wholesale vs. Dropshipping
When you look at some of these wholesale suppliers for small businesses, you will see both traditional wholesale and dropshipping . In the case of wholesale, you purchase the goods from the suppliers. They ship the items to you so you can keep them in your warehouse, pantry, basement, or spare room. When customers make a purchase, top 7 competitor analysis tools to stay ahead of the curve you are responsible for packing and shipping the items.
Dropshipping, on the other hand, is a less laborious approach. While with wholesale you have more control over logistics and the customer experience, in the dropshipping model you leave this up to your suppliers . Essentially, the customers buy from you, but the suppliers pick, pack and ship the goods. Unlike with wholesale, here you do not buy the goods in advance, but the suppliers are responsible for storing the goods. On the one hand, this involves less risk, but on the other hand it usually also reduces your margins.
How do I find wholesale suppliers for small businesses?
- Research your first points of contact
- Check your options
- Contact the suppliers
- Compare and choose
1. Research your first points of contact
Every search starts somewhere – in the case of finding wholesalers, you can start with a Google search. This will bring up a list of wholesalers you can try. You can search by product, industry and even location to create an initial list.
Make note of these initial results. This list will serve as a starting point for further research.
2. Check your options
Wholesale can be a scary place. Not all wholesalers are reputable, burkina faso leads so you need to research beyond the first Google page. Search for the company name and add keywords like “reviews” and “scam” to your query to spot potential red flags.
Then visit the websites of the vendors you found in your search results. Look for information about their products, prices, and terms and conditions. Check that the vendors have a physical address and contact information. A reputable company should offer transparent ways to get in touch.
Also look at other online reviews and testimonials. This can give you insight into the experiences of other companies that have worked with the vendors. Pay attention to both positive and negative feedback.
Look for relevant certifications or affiliations with industry associations. These affiliations can be a sign of professionalism and adherence to industry standards.
3. Contact the suppliers
Once you have completed your initial research and verification, it is time to contact potential wholesalers.
Send them an email or call them to ask about their products, pricing and terms and conditions, such as minimum order quantities (MOQs), lead times, payment terms and shipping options. This first contact will also help you assess their responsiveness and willingness to work with you.
Ask for a sample or product catalog. This will allow you to evaluate the quality and suitability for your business.
4. Compare and choose
After contacting several wholesalers, compare their offers, terms and responsiveness. Consider factors such as product quality, prices, MOQs and customer service.
Make an informed decision by weighing the pros and cons of each vendor. This will help you find the suppliers that best fit your company’s needs, values, and goals.
The 15 Best Wholesale Suppliers for Small Businesses
- Faire
- AliExpress
- DHgate
- DollarDays
- ek Wholesale
- IndiaMart
- Liquidation.com
- OrangeShine
- SaleHoo
- Tasha Apparel
- Tropical Labs
- Wholesale7
- Wholesale Central
- Worldwide Brands
- Zooby
1. Fair
Faire is your one-stop shop for wholesale. Hundreds of thousands of retailers buy wholesale products online through Faire . You can order from more than 100,000 independent wholesalers with payment terms of net 60 days. Faire is especially suitable if you are looking for unique items. You will also receive a prepaid shipping label in case you want to return products.
2. AliExpress
China-based AliExpress is affiliated with the Alibaba marketplace. It is known for a wide range of products – more than 100 million – at competitive wholesale prices. It ships worldwide and there is no minimum order. Wholesale buyers should be cautious, however. Not everything you see on AliExpress is worth the investment. There is little verification or quality control.
3. DHgate
DHgate is a wholesaler based in China. The company offers lower prices on many wholesale products, but is known for carrying many knock-off products. If that’s not a problem for your business, it’s worth browsing through the listings for suitable products. The wholesaler has a huge range of products with options for every merchant and every niche. DHgate also uses a built-in rating system to find the right suppliers for you.
4. DollarDays
DollarDays is great for nonprofit-focused businesses. Like AliExpress, DollarDays has something for almost every type of business in every industry imaginable. The difference is the additional focus on nonprofits with affordable prices, although for-profit companies can also purchase their wholesale goods there. DollarDays is one of many wholesale companies in the US, but also serves small businesses around the world. Like AliExpress, there are no minimum order quantities. The wholesaler also offers a dropshipping model.
5. ek Wholesale
ek Wholesale is a great option for merchants based in the UK. Ek Wholesale is based in Scotland and has been in business for more than 30 years, making it a leading wholesale supplier for small businesses in Europe. It offers free shipping to mainland UK for orders over £250. Ek is known for high-quality products and specialises in clothing. For example, you can use it to design your own private label clothing brand. Ek also offers full integration with Shopify POS .
6. IndiaMart
IndiaMart specializes in medical, chemical, industrial, and automotive supply products and offers a huge range of products – it carries the usual consumer goods but also serves some specific industries. Depending on the wholesale product you are looking for, this could be your best choice. IndiaMart’s strength lies in its niches. Few wholesalers have exposure to the industries IndiaMart serves. It is particularly good for certain niches such as medical, chemical, industrial, or automotive supply. IndiaMart is also one of the few wholesale companies that offer pharmaceutical dropshipping services for over-the-counter products.
7. Liquidation.com
Liquidation.com operates on a wholesale model based on excess inventory to offer branded goods at affordable prices. With hundreds of product categories, it has all kinds of items on offer, including clothing, cosmetics, and home goods. Pricing is done through a bidding system. Liquidation.com ships internationally, except to Belarus, Crimea, Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Russia, Syria, and Venezuela.
8. OrangeShine
OrangeShine offers great products across apparel, home goods, and lifestyle brands. It specializes in clothing and accessories for women, but also has items for men, kids, beauty, and the home. If you need more variety, you’re better off checking out one of the other wholesale suppliers for small businesses.
9. SaleHoo
SaleHoo is another wholesale directory. You can browse thousands of reliable suppliers with all kinds of products on the site. Minimum order quantities vary, and international shipping is available. SaleHoo is based in New Zealand and also offers dropshipping options.
10. Tasha Apparel
US-based boutique clothing supplier Tasha Apparel sells clothing in bulk, usually in bundles of six items, with no minimum order quantities. It offers a huge range of sizes and a variety of styles, allowing retailers of all kinds to buy trendy wholesale clothing at prices up to 60% to 80% below the usual wholesale price. It also supports dropshipping, allowing store owners to use images from its website for their products. Bulk shipping and wholesale prices ensure that dropshippers have access to the most up-to-date products each season.