Finding the right wholesale distributor for a business is not an easy task, and there is no magic formula to follow. It requires a lot of effort, research, and the right information to be collected simultaneously. However, following the right process will most likely take a business from having no wholesaler to finding the right wholesale distributor.
To find a wholesale distributor, one needs to do their homework and collect the right data. In this article, we will discuss how to find wholesale distributors and provide tips for finding the right supplier for small businesses. By following these tips, small businesses can find the right wholesale supplier for their needs.
Key Takeaways
- There is no magic formula for finding a wholesale distributor, but following the right process will most likely lead to success.
- Doing your homework and collecting the right data is crucial in finding the right wholesale distributor.
- Small businesses can find the right wholesale supplier by following the tips provided in this article.
How to Find Wholesale Distributors?
Small businesses often require products to sell, but they don’t necessarily have to manufacture them themselves. Wholesale distributors can be a great resource for finding products to sell. However, finding the right wholesale distributor can be a challenge. Here are seven ways to find wholesale distributors for your small business:
1. Get Wholesalers’ Contact Info From Online Directories
Online directories are a great way to find small business wholesale suppliers that offer all types of products. These directories can help you find suppliers and relevant information. Some popular online directories for finding wholesale distributors include:
- Faire: A marketplace with 30,000 independent retailers that offers net 60 terms (you have 60 days to pay for your items)
- Handshake: A wholesale marketplace powered by Shopify
- Tundra: A wholesale marketplace where you don’t have to pay commissions
- Worldwide Brands: A database of pre-verified US dropshippers and light bulk wholesalers
- Thomasnet: A database of United States wholesale vendors that includes commercial and industrial suppliers
- Wholesale Central: A directory of wholesalers, importers, distributors, dropshippers, and manufacturers that have been screened and selected
- Alibaba: A beginner-friendly B2B marketplace with vetted suppliers offering a wide range of products
- China wholesale websites: Wholesale or manufacturer websites where you can find a China manufacturer on most of China wholesale suppliers
- Supplyia: A service that helps small business retailers source, manufacture, inspect, or ship products from China
2. Attend Trade Shows Locally and Internationally
Attending retail trade shows is an excellent way to discover potential wholesale distributors. Manufacturers and wholesalers exhibit their latest products at trade shows held by various industries. Retailers can build a list of wholesalers by contacting manufacturers or distributors directly. Trade show participants usually offer special deals, making it great for beginner retailers. Some websites that list trade show schedules include:
- Trade Shows News Network
- Trade Fair Dates
- Events Eye Trade Show Directory
- Absolute Exhibits
Retailers can close deals faster by attending major trade shows like Canton Fair, which has over 25,000 exhibitors and over 190,000 overseas buyers, or Global Sources Expo, which has over 9,000 booths and over 90,000 buyers and is all about electronic products. Attending overseas trade shows is also a great option if you are considering importing products for retail sale.
3. Make Sure You’re Reading the Trade Publications in Your Industry
Reading all the magazines and newsletters that target retailers can help you find wholesale distributors or manufacturers. Every advertiser in these magazines is likely to be a wholesale distributor or manufacturer. Advertisements at the back of the magazine should give you a few dozen options. Trade publications usually include advertisements with up-to-date contact information and expect retailers to obtain their contact information. Some trade publications to consider include:
- Catalog Name
- General Retailing
- Smart Retailer
- Gifts and Decorative Accessories
- Souvenir, Gifts, and Novelties
- Independent Retailer
- Fashion and Apparel
- Global Apparel Markets
- California Apparel News
- Home and Furniture
- Home Furnishings Business
- Home Accents Today
- Furniture World
- Pets
- Pet Age
- Groomer to Groomer
- Pet Business
4. Search on Google
Some retail wholesale distributors don’t update their websites very often, making it difficult for buyers to find their websites informative or organized. These distributors may not be search engine friendly because they don’t follow Google’s algorithm. Therefore, you’ll need to dig deeper and play around with your search terms to find wholesale suppliers in a certain niche. You can also search for local suppliers by adding your location and refine your search on Google’s SERPs to find potential good wholesale suppliers there.
5. Check Out The U.S. Customs Database
Most companies that import or export to the U.S. leave a paper trail that anybody can access. Utilizing the supplier database tool, you can quickly view shipments from all companies importing into the United States. The information provided here is free of charge. U.S. Customs recommends the PIERS database and the American Association of Exporters and Importers for the latest information on exporter lists by commodities.
- PIERS
- American Association of Exporters and Importers
6. Visit Your Local Library To Look Up Business Directories
Many libraries pay for online manufacturer and business directories that contain information on numerous manufacturers, wholesalers, and distributors in North America. Contact information is accurate and reliable since these directories are regularly updated. Your local library website can access a database like Reference USA, which lists all kinds of companies, including wholesale suppliers. These professional directories include NAICS code (North American Industry Classification System) for products, making it easier to find manufacturers and suppliers when you know their NAICS codes.
- Reference
Tips for Finding a Wholesale Supplier
When searching for a wholesale supplier, it is important to find one that meets your needs and requirements. Here are some tips to help you choose the right one:
Compare Locally vs. Globally
One important factor to consider is whether to choose a local or global wholesale supplier. While importing from China may offer lower manufacturing costs and competitive pricing, it also involves risks such as extra shipping charges, import duties, and material defect risks. On the other hand, working with a local wholesale supplier can help you avoid these risks and achieve a shorter supply chain, which can reduce unexpected delays.
Review Lead Time
Another important consideration is the lead time required by the wholesale supplier. It is essential to know how much time a potential retail wholesaler requires from the date an order is placed until the shipment is sent out and how quickly you can expect to receive it. This is especially important when dealing with international shipments, as packages may be held up in customs without the supplier’s fault or yours. It is also important to understand how lead times fluctuate throughout the year to help you plan accordingly.
Think About Minimum Order Quantities (MOQ)
When placing wholesale orders, it is important to consider the minimum order quantity (MOQ) required by the supplier. If you are a small retailer with limited budgets and space, you may need to place orders with a lower MOQ. However, if you do not have storage or budget constraints, the MOQ may not be as important.
Obtain Some Samples
Before committing to a wholesale supplier, it is a good idea to obtain some samples to test the quality of their products. Many wholesale distributors allow sample orders without meeting their MOQ requirements, although free samples are rare. Testing the quality of the products is crucial to ensure that your customers receive the best products, and to avoid any issues or complaints.
Do Quality Control
If you are working with an overseas wholesale supplier that you have never worked with before and cannot visit, it may be a good idea to contact an inspection agency to perform quality control inspections of your products. However, you need to provide them with specific instructions on when to visit the factory and what to check. It is important to ensure that the products meet your quality standards and specifications.
Follow-up Production
After placing an order with a wholesale supplier, it is important to keep track of the production process. If you are working directly with a factory, you need to be aware that each part of the product may come from a different factory. Additionally, you need to maintain communication with the factory and build relationships with them to stay ahead in production. You can ask the wholesale supplier to send photos to update the production progress and to know the schedule for the factory to produce each part. By following up on production, you can ensure that your orders are fulfilled on time and meet your quality standards.
Small Business Wholesale Suppliers Bottom Line
For small businesses, finding wholesale suppliers is crucial to their success. Wholesale distributors buy products in large quantities from manufacturers and sell them to retailers at low prices. Retailers, in turn, sell the products to consumers at a markup. By purchasing products from wholesale distributors, small businesses can save up to 40% of the retail price if they meet the minimum order quantity.
It can take time to understand where a small business fits into the supply chain, but the knowledge gained is invaluable in navigating the retail market. Small businesses should seek out reliable wholesale distributors to ensure they have access to quality products at competitive prices. If a small business needs assistance with product sourcing, they can contact us for help.