27 Trending Wholesale Business Ideas for 2025 (+ Examples)
There are numerous benefits to entering the distribution business and selling wholesale. You’ll become a part of a growing industry that serves high-revenue loyal B2B customers.
Before taking the plunge, it’s important to research profitable wholesale business ideas. Knowing which categories or niches are trending can set the stage for a successful entrepreneurial journey in distribution.
Below, you’ll discover a list of the 27 best wholesale business ideas in 2025. These ideas are backed by solid facts and figures to assist you in making informed decisions.
Ready to kickstart your business? Start building your website today or explore Shopify’s tools for online and in-person selling.
Why Consider a Wholesale Business?
Advantages of a Wholesale Business
If you’re contemplating starting a wholesale business, you’re on the right track. Selling to other businesses offers a range of benefits that other strategies may not:
- Expanding market: Ecommerce is thriving, and retailers need a source for their inventory. You can seize this opportunity by acting as the intermediary between manufacturers and resellers.
- Economies of scale: Wholesale customers purchase in bulk, requiring fewer B2B customers who place higher-value orders to generate similar revenue compared to selling directly to consumers.
- Customer retention: Businesses tend to exhibit more loyalty than individual consumers. They seek a steady supply of popular products, reducing the need to constantly acquire new customers with a wholesale business.
Disadvantages of a Wholesale Business
While wholesaling can be a profitable model, there are certain drawbacks to consider before launching a reselling business:
- Thin profit margins: Wholesalers typically earn between 15% and 30% profit on wholesale prices, leaving little room for discounts or competitive pricing.
- High initial costs: Wholesaling requires upfront capital to place orders with manufacturers, many of whom have high minimum order quantities.
- Inventory storage: Bulk inventory needs storage space. Investing in a fulfillment center or storage facility to house inventory before resale entails additional expenses.
Retail sales in the jewelry industry are projected to surpass $330 billion by 2026. One major advantage of starting a wholesale jewelry business is the minimal space required for both raw materials and finished products, reducing the need for extensive inventory management. Wholesalers can create unique handicrafts for you to sell online, including items like candles, party accessories, and phone cases. In the arts and crafts niche, there are various wholesale business ideas to explore. In the food and drink industry, you can consider wholesaling wines, groceries, specialty chocolate, and condiments. For baby and children products, wholesale business ideas include educational materials, kids’ toys, and maternity products. These niches offer a wide range of opportunities for starting an online store. The maternity resale market is projected to surpass $240.8 million by 2025 due to the short shelf life of items in this niche. For instance, once someone gives birth, a birthing ball is no longer needed. Unwanted maternity products can be found at thrift stores, garage sales, or on platforms like Craigslist for a fraction of their original cost.
In the business-to-business wholesale sector, you can explore various opportunities beyond selling products directly to retailers. For example, you can act as a middleman between manufacturers and B2B businesses. Here are some wholesale business ideas:
1. Office supplies: The global office supplies industry is expected to exceed $272.2 billion by 2025, with Chinese wholesale suppliers dominating the market. You can connect with these manufacturers on platforms like Alibaba and AliExpress to source products like pens, paper, notebooks, and more.
2. Medical equipment: The market for medical devices and products is projected to reach $313.9 billion this year. Whether you deal with basic medical supplies or licensed medical devices, there is significant potential in this industry.
3. Health and safety products: Businesses invest heavily in health and safety products to prevent accidents and ensure workplace safety. You can supply products like alarm systems, first aid supplies, fire safety equipment, and more in this wholesale niche.
Successful examples of wholesale businesses like Laird Superfood, Dermalogica, and Kulani Kinis demonstrate the potential for growth and success in the wholesale sector. By leveraging platforms like Shopify to streamline operations and enhance the buying experience for B2B customers, these businesses have seen significant revenue growth.
If you’re considering entering the wholesale market, these ideas and success stories can serve as inspiration. With the right tools and platform, such as Shopify, you can launch and grow your wholesale business effectively, catering to both B2B and direct-to-consumer customers.
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Wholesale business ideas FAQ
What kind of wholesale business is best?
The kind of wholesale business that’s best depends on your unique goals and background. The best wholesale business is one that has healthy profit margins, steady demand, strong customer retention, and a work-life balance for the team.
How much does it cost to create a wholesale business?
Shopify data suggests that it costs $40,000 to start a business in 2024. Although wholesalers don’t have to invest in their own product development, you may have some additional costs to factor into this price, including any business license or specialized permits.
How profitable are wholesalers?
Wholesalers have varying profitability. Typically, they receive a smaller profit margin than DTC brands because they offer lower markup in exchange for bulk orders. DTC brands, on the other hand, usually sell individual units to consumers, which can be more labor-intensive and costly in terms of marketing spend.
How do you succeed in wholesale?
Follow these tips to succeed in wholesale:
- Develop and manufacture amazing products.
- Create great relationships with merchants.
- Smooth out logistics and operations.
- Market effectively.
- Price strategically.
What are the key features of a successful wholesale business?
Some key features of a successful wholesale business include personalized product and pricing options, efficient quantity rules, flexible payment terms, and seamless integration with e-commerce platforms like Shopify. By customizing the shopping experience for each buyer, wholesalers can enhance customer satisfaction and drive higher sales.
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