You know that stores in the US get their products from various distributors. But exactly how many are there? Today, there are over 400,000 wholesale distributors in the USA. Staggering amount indeed. But that makes you wonder, which one is right for your business?
In this article, we will cover all things wholesale distributors; what they are, which ones are the best, how you should approach them, and how you can verify their legitimacy. So if you are looking to find the right wholesale distributor for your US-based business, you have come to the right place!
What Is A Wholesale Distributor?
A wholesale distributor is a middleman who buys products in large quantities from manufacturers and sells them in smaller amounts to retailers or other businesses. They help make sure that products are available where and when they are needed. They take the pain away from the negotiating deals with manufacturers and make the product more accessible for businesses.
Let’s say you own a small electronics store. Instead of dealing with multiple companies to stock your shelves with the latest smartphones, tablets, and accessories, you can work with a wholesale distributor who specializes in electronics. This distributor buys these products in bulk from different manufacturers, stores them in their warehouse, and sells them to you in smaller quantities. This makes it easier for you to get a variety of products at good prices, without the hassle of managing multiple suppliers.
Wholesale distributors also offer extra services that can help your business. For example, they might provide marketing materials, product training, and flexible payment options. In our electronics store example, the distributor could help you promote new gadgets, teach your staff about product features, and even give you some time to pay for your orders. These are other ways that wholesalers add value and make money.
10 Best Wholesale Distributors In USA
Whether you have a low-cost business idea that you are starting right now, you need the best distributor to help you succeed. So here are some of the best wholesale distributors in USA that can solve your product procurement problems:
Distributor#1 Costco Wholesale
Costco Wholesale is one of the largest and most well-known wholesale distributors in the USA. From groceries to electronics, you name it, Costco has the products you need for your business. But if that wasn’t enough, it is the competitive prices matched by excellent product quality that sets Costco apart as a US wholesale distributor.
Costco’s membership model ensures that businesses can purchase products in bulk at reduced costs, making it a popular choice for many retailers. Additionally, Costco’s reputation for quality and customer service was unmatched. This led to high customer satisfaction with repeat business needed to stay on top as a wholesale distributor in USA.
One of Costco’s standout features is their Kirkland Signature brand, which offers high-quality products at even lower prices. This private label covers a wide range of categories, providing excellent value and unique offerings that can differentiate a business’s inventory from competitors.
Distributor#2 Uline
If you are a US retail business in need of quality packaging, Uline is on the top of your list. Uline specializes in shipping, industrial, and packaging materials. They provide an extensive catalog of products, including boxes, bubble wrap, and warehouse supplies. Uline is known for its excellent customer service and fast delivery, which makes them a reliable partner for businesses needing packaging solutions.
Uline offers a comprehensive online ordering system with detailed product specifications and usage guides. Add to that their extensive network of distribution centers across the USA, your retail business gets rapid delivery needed for quick turnaround. They can also provide 24 hour delivery services if you are in the same region as one of their distribution centers.
Distributor#3 Dollar Days
Dollar Days is unique because they are primarily an online wholesale distributor. Dollar Days caters to small businesses, non-profits, and educators. They offer a wide range of products, including office supplies, toys, clothing, and personal care items. It provides affordable prices and the ability to purchase in smaller quantities compared to other wholesalers.
This smaller bulk quantity at affordable prices is Dollar Days’s unique “Case Pack” option. This flexibility is ideal for small businesses or startups that do not have the capital to invest in large quantities of inventory. They also provide a variety of seasonal products and fundraising tools, making it easier for non-profits and small businesses to find relevant products for special events and promotions.
Distributor#4 Global Sources
If one distributor is not enough, then having connection from all over the world is what Global Sources provide for US-based businesses. It connects businesses with suppliers and distributors from around the world. It offers a platform for sourcing a wide range of products. They are particularly strong in electronics, fashion accessories, and home products.
With their extensive supplier network, Global Sources is a valuable resource for businesses looking to import goods. ITheir platform helps businesses find reliable suppliers and navigate the complexities of international trade, enabling them to offer diverse and unique products to their customers. So if you are a US business that wants to source products and sell internationally, then Global Sources is what you need. Additionally, they offer trade shows and online exhibitions that provide businesses with the opportunity to meet suppliers face-to-face and view the latest products in their industry.
Distributor#5 Magnolia Fashion Wholesale
Fashion is one of the most sought after products in retail. So if you are looking for a trendy fashion products, then Magnolia Fashion Wholesale is for you. It specializes in trendy women’s fashion and accessories, offering a wide selection of apparel, from casual wear to formal dresses.
Known for staying ahead of fashion trends, Magnolia Fashion Wholesale is a go-to distributor for boutique owners looking to stock stylish and current merchandise. This allows fashion retailers to keep their inventory fresh and appealing, even for small businesses.
Magnolia Fashion Wholesale offers a personalized shopping experience with a dedicated sales team that provides styling advice and trend insights. They also have a low minimum order requirement, which is advantageous for small boutiques looking to manage their cash flow while keeping up with the latest trends.
Distributor#6 Image Beauty
Similar to clothing apparel, beauty products are quickly rising in demand in the wholesale scene. Now imagine all the beauty products that salons, spas, and beauty retailers need, you have a booming industry that is desperately in need of a distributor capable of serving all product types. Enter Image Beauty.
Image Beauty supplies a wide range of beauty and personal care products. Their inventory includes hair care, skincare, and cosmetics from top brands. That is perfect for a wide variety of customers in need of such products.
Image Beauty is recognized for their competitive pricing and extensive product knowledge, making them a trusted source in the beauty industry. This includes detailed product descriptions and tutorials, helping businesses educate their staff and customers about the benefits and uses of various beauty products.
Add their loyalty programs for repeat customers and detailed with exclusive deals and discounts, you have a trusted wholesale distributor in USA for all your beauty product procurements.
Distributor#7 Bangalla
Retailers that sell food products are in need of reliable distributors. That is where Bangalla is a key wholesale distributor in USA, providing a variety of health foods, supplements, and eco-friendly household items. They cater to businesses looking to offer sustainable and health-conscious products to their customers.
Bangalla’s commitment to quality and sustainability makes them a standout in the natural products sector. Retailers can tap into the growing demand for organic and eco-friendly products, appealing to a health-conscious customer base and promoting a green business image.
But what makes Bangalla unique is they offer a dropshipping service. This is great for businesses that want to do business without holding inventory. This service is particularly beneficial for online retailers looking to expand their product range without the risk and cost associated with inventory management. Since Bangalla is unique in such services, they are a great wholesale food distributor in the United States.
Distributor#8 Cardinal Health
As people are becoming more health conscious, Cardinal Health is a major distributor of medical and pharmaceutical products. They supply hospitals, pharmacies, and other healthcare providers with essential medications, medical devices, and supplies.
Cardinal Health is known for its reliable distribution network and commitment to improving healthcare delivery. If you are in the healthcare industry, you can benefit from their reliable service. Additionally, they also offer a comprehensive range of value-added services, including inventory management, regulatory support, and data analytics. These services help healthcare providers optimize their operations, reduce costs, and improve patient outcomes
Distributor#9 Petra
High in the list of products that retailers require are electronics. Petra is a leading wholesale distributor of consumer electronics, offering a wide range of products including audio equipment, home automation devices, and mobile accessories. They provide excellent customer service and technical support, making them a preferred partner for retailers in the electronics industry.
By partnering with Petra, your business can stay ahead of technological trends and offer cutting-edge products that meet the demands of tech-savvy consumers. Petra also provides extensive marketing support to their customers, including product training, promotional materials, and e-commerce wholesale solutions.
Distributor#10 Reydon Sports
Reydon Sports is a premier distributor of sporting goods and equipment. From team uniforms to training gear, they provide all for your business. They provide high-quality products and reliable service to sports retailers and athletic programs. Your business benefits from their extensive product range and expertise, enabling them to provide top-notch sports equipment and apparel to their customers.
What Reydon Sports do best is their customization services for team uniforms and gear. This allows businesses to provide personalized products to their customers, a highly valuable service to today’s customers. This service is particularly valuable for schools, sports teams, and organizations looking to create a unique and professional look.
How To Approach A New Wholesale Distributor In 5 Steps
Approaching a new wholesale distributor sounds intimidating, but it should not be! Here are 5 basic steps in reaching out to a new wholesaler for your business:
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Research and Prepare
Before reaching out to a wholesale distributor, do your homework. For this, you need to:
- Understand the distributor’s product range and pricing structure
- Learn of their minimum order requirements and terms of service.
- Look for reviews or testimonials from other businesses to gauge their reliability and customer service quality.
- Prepare your business information, such as your business name, type, and specific products you’re interested in.
Knowing these details will help you determine if the distributor aligns with your business needs and prepare you for a productive conversation.
2. Make Initial Contact
This is probably the intimidating step as you want to make a good first impression but it doesn’t have to be something you need to overthink about. Start by sending a professional email or making a phone call. Introduce yourself and your business, and express your interest in their products. Be clear about what you are looking for and ask if they can provide you with a catalog or price list. This initial contact should be concise but informative, setting a positive tone for future interactions to confirm them as your distributing partner.
3. Request Samples and Ask Questions
As a business, you should never compromise on a product’s quality. That is why before you make any significant commitments, request samples of the products you are interested in from the wholesale distributor. This allows you to assess the quality firsthand and determine if they meet your standards. Ask detailed questions about:
- Order process
- Lead times
- Payment terms
- Return policies
- Available discounts
- Minimum order quantities for bulk orders
Understanding these aspects will help you assess if they meet your logistical and financial requirements.
4. Negotiate and Establish Terms
Once you’ve gathered all necessary information and assessed the product samples, discuss and negotiate terms. Negotiate aspects like pricing, payment terms, minimum order quantities, and delivery schedules. Ensure that all agreed-upon terms are documented in a written contract, including prices, payment terms, delivery schedules, and return policies. A clear, written agreement helps prevent misunderstandings and provides a reference point for both parties. It also safeguards your business against potential scams and exploitation.
Once you have done all you can in approaching, maintaining this B2B relationship is vital for your business’s success. This means you have to communicate regularly, provide feedback, and honor your commitments. Showing that you are a reliable and valued customer can lead to benefits such as priority service, exclusive deals, and better negotiation leverage in the future.
Making E-commerce Wholesaling Easier With A Bulk Order App On Shopify
Now, if you are an e-commerce wholesale business, making sure your customers are able to order in bulk with ease is difficult. Setting up the website and all the ruleset so the shopping experience makes sense, the cost can quickly ramp up. This makes setting up a wholesale e-commerce business a high barrier to entry.
Shopify eases this barrier to entry for businesses but there is still the ruleset needed to make bulk ordering easier. Wholesale businesses need minimum order quantities ruleset to their products to streamline. However, Shopify does not have such options to have MOQs set up for different products.
That is where store owners on Shopify can leverage the Shopify app store to make selling much easier. Here is an example of a store using a bulk order app with MOQ features to make wholesaling a lot more easier:
You can see at the bottom that there is a message telling customers that they must select “at least 6” quantities before they are able to add the product to cart. The app tracks all the different quantities a customer has selected and keeps track of it against the MOQ ruleset.
Once the MOQ quantity is satisfied, the customers will see this message:
This lets the customer keep track of what they are ordering on your store in the number of variants and the quantity of products they are buying. It is like a visual thumbs up for customers that they are good to go for their product to be added to cart. Just a simple message like this can leave a positive impression on your customers while also making sure bulk ordering is made easy for your wholesale business.
10 Tips To Verify Wholesale Distributors
When you are approaching a new B2B relationship like finding a new wholesale distributor, you will want it to be as successful as possible. That is why it is important to verify your wholesale distributor to make sure you find a reliable business partner for your business. Here are some tips to verify your wholesale distributor:
- Check business credential: Verify the distributor’s business license and registration to ensure they are legitimate.
- Review customer feedback: Look for reviews and testimonials from other businesses to verify their relationship with the distributor.
- Request references: Ask the distributor for references from current clients and contact these references to inquire about their experience.
- Inspect product quality: Request product samples to assess quality firsthand and compare the samples with products from other distributors.
- Visit the facility: If possible, visit the distributor’s warehouse or office to observe their operations and inventory management practices.
- Verify financial stability: Check the distributor’s financial stability through credit reports or financial statements to ensure they can support consistent supply.
- Evaluate customer service: Test their customer service responsiveness via phone or email and assess their willingness to answer questions and provide support.
- Check industry affiliations: Verify if they are members of reputable industry associations or trade groups, as this can indicate reliability.
- Review payment and return policies: Carefully read their payment terms, including any credit options, and understand their return and refund policies to avoid future disputes.
- Assess online presence: Review their website for professionalism and detailed product information, and check their presence on social media for customer interactions and updates.
Bottom Line
Even though there are almost half a million wholesaler distributors out there, not all of them will be right for your business. Which is why you need to make sure to verify them and approach them in the right way to secure a good business deal. Even if the list comprises the best of the best, remember that you need to look for distributors that are right for your business model and goals. So don’t stop looking for the right wholesale distributor in USA for your business!
