Learning center series

Wholesale industry statistics, facts, and data

The wholesale industry plays a pivotal role in global commerce, connecting manufacturers and retailers through robust supply chains. This dynamic sector continually evolves with new technologies and market trends, offering both challenges and opportunities for businesses worldwide. In this post, we’ll delve into the key statistics and trends shaping the wholesale landscape today. Dive deep into how to kick off your own wholesale venture with our comprehensive guide, featuring 5 effective strategies, critical market analyses, and professional advice to conquer the international scene.

Industry Delivery Solution

Metrobi is transforming wholesalers deliveries

Specialized solutions for wholesalers businesses:

  • Wholesalers-trained drivers
  • Proper handling equipment
  • Peak day delivery support
  • 23% average cost reduction

🌍 Wholesale Industry Overview

The global wholesale market is a rapidly changing landscape characterized by impressive growth and technological advancements. Below is a comprehensive overview of the industry's latest statistics and emerging trends:

  • 📈 Global Wholesale Market Size: Expected growth from $49.5 trillion in 2023 to $53 trillion in 2024, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.1%.
  • 📊 Wholesale Market Forecast: Projected to reach $68.1 trillion by 2028.
  • U.S. Wholesale Market Trends:
    • 💰 U.S. Wholesale Revenue: February 2024 saw an increase in U.S. wholesale revenue to $673.7 billion from the previous month.
    • 📦 U.S. Wholesale Inventories: February 2024 inventories stood at $901.1 billion.
    • 👨‍💼 Employment: In March 2024, approximately 6.2 million individuals worked in the U.S. wholesale industry.
    • 📈 U.S. Merchant Wholesalers Sales: They saw $11.38 trillion in 2022.
    • 📊 Wholesale Market Growth Strategies: Emphasis on market trend-based strategies, competitive strategies, and competitor analysis.
    • 🌍 Market Future Outlook: Opportunities in the U.S., China, and India in e-commerce, logistics, and supply chain management.
  • Key Global Trends:
    • 🤖 Automation & Robotics: Reshaping global wholesale operations.
    • 🧠 Artificial Intelligence: Optimizing supply chain management.
    • 🔗 Blockchain: Providing greater transparency in the supply chain.
    • 🌿 Sustainability Practices: Increasingly critical for wholesalers.
    • 📊 Competitive Benchmarking Frameworks: Evaluating profitability and market share.
    • 📦 Market Segmentation: By type (non-durable goods, durable goods, brokers), ownership (chain, independent), and price range (premium, mid-range, economy).
  • Top Distributors:
    • 🔝 Amazon, Alibaba, Sysco, Costco.
    • Wholesale Market Competitive Benchmarking: Performance assessment of market share, revenue, and profitability.
  • 🌐 Global Wholesale Industry Value: Currently valued at $48.9 trillion and expected to reach $61.5 trillion by 2027.
  • 📦 U.S. Wholesale Trade Sector Establishments: The U.S. wholesale trade sector had around 425,000 establishments in 2020.
  • 🌐 Global E-Commerce Market: The global e-commerce market is valued at $6.3 trillion.
  • 📈 GDP Contribution: Wholesale trade contributed around 6% to the U.S. GDP in 2019.
  • 📊 U.S. Wholesale Trade Industry Revenues: Estimated at $8.5 trillion in 2020.
  • 👨‍💼 Employment Statistics: In 2020, the U.S. wholesale trade industry employed 5.7 million people.

The wholesale industry is marked by consistent growth, driven by market trend-based strategies, technological advancements, and a commitment to sustainability.

The wholesale industry is vast and diverse, with significant contributions from different countries, regions, and product categories. After exploring the general trends and projections in the global wholesale market, let’s dive into more specific statistics that highlight the most important data points across various geographic regions and industries. To navigate this complexity and capitalize on opportunities, formulating a robust plan for a wholesale business becomes imperative, encompassing critical insights from these diverse markets.

For newcomers to this market, understanding the fundamentals is essential. A thorough overview of what constitutes a wholesale business can provide the groundwork needed to succeed. Check out this insightful article on the nature of wholesale businesses to get started on the right foot.

Additionally, the efficiency of your logistics can significantly impact the success of your wholesale operation. Utilizing a dependable courier service in Seattle can streamline your delivery processes and ensure timely shipments, vital for maintaining client satisfaction and competitive edge.

Better Deliveries

27% higher customer satisfaction

"Fewer customer complaints about deliveries since using Metrobi"
— Rachel Parkhurst, Boloco

Professional delivery features:

  • Real-time GPS tracking
  • Automated ETA updates
  • Delivery confirmation photos
  • 27% higher delivery satisfaction

✨ Key Wholesale Industry Statistics

  • 🏢 Wholesale Trade Establishments: The U.S. is home to over 425,000 wholesale trade establishments.
  • 📊 U.S. Wholesale Trade Sales: In 2020, sales in the U.S. wholesale trade sector totaled $6.24 trillion.
  • 🏠 Insulation Material Wholesale Sales: In 2019, U.S. insulation material wholesale sales reached $9.7 billion.
  • 📦 Paper & Plastics Wholesale Sector Revenue: The U.S. paper and disposable plastics wholesale sector generated $97 billion in revenue in 2020.
  • 🍽️ Global Food & Beverage Industry: Valued at $5.3 trillion in 2015, wholesalers play a significant role in handling this industry's output.
  • 🛒 Merchant Wholesalers' Market Share: Merchant wholesalers accounted for 62.5% of U.S. wholesale trade sales in 2018.
  • 🇯🇵 Japan Wholesale Industry: Japan has approximately 307,088 wholesalers.
  • 🇦🇺 Australia Wholesale Business Models: About 25.7% of wholesale and retail businesses in Australia are sole traders.
  • 🇮🇳 India Wholesale Price Index: India's wholesale price index rose 10.49% year-on-year in April 2021.
  • 🚗 Germany Wholesale Turnover: The wholesale, retail, and motor vehicle trade sectors in Germany had a turnover of €398.8 billion in 2019.
  • 🇨🇳 China Wholesale & Retail Trade: China's wholesale and retail trade grossed approximately 46.64 trillion yuan in 2018.
  • 🇨🇦 Canada Wholesale Trade GDP Contribution: Wholesale trade contributed 5.4% to Canada's GDP in 2020.
  • 🇬🇧 UK Wholesale & Retail Costs: In the UK, wholesale and retail input costs rose 2.4% in the 4th quarter of 2020.
  • 🇳🇱 Dutch Wholesale Sector: The Dutch wholesale trade sector (excluding motor vehicles) reached €218 billion in 2018.
  • 🇿🇦 South Africa Wholesale & Retail Profits: In 2018, South Africa's wholesale and retail businesses made a net profit of 99,891.8 million ZAR.

These key statistics offer invaluable insights into the wholesale industry’s global landscape, reflecting its diversity and evolving trends that will continue to shape commerce worldwide. Embark on your journey through the realm of bulk trading by delving into this comprehensive guide on the operation of businesses in the wholesale sector.

Moreover, a reliable logistics network is crucial for your wholesale business’s success. Utilizing a dependable courier service in Newark can enhance your delivery efficiency, ensuring that products reach your customers on time and maintain your competitive edge in the market.

Additionally, efficient logistics are essential for success in the wholesale industry. For those seeking reliable delivery options, understanding the role of couriers in your supply chain can be vital. Explore how Seattle-based couriers can help streamline your operations and ensure timely deliveries.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Oguzhan Uyar's Favorite Metrobi Feature 👇

Our customers say
Do you offer delivery?
Start delivering with Metrobi.
Manage your own fleet
or use on-demand drivers.
In this article
Wholesale Business
Learning center articles
Related posts

Success Stories

Request a Callback

Available now. Our team will call you within 5 minutes.

I want to