How do I find wholesale suppliers? Our customers often ask this. Here are 7 proven ways to find the best wholesaler distributors for your store in 2022.
Wholesale suppliers play a crucial role in the success of your retail or e-commerce store. Your store can’t run without having anything to sell, and that’s where your search for wholesalers starts. The right wholesale distributor supplies your store with the products you want to sell while meeting your cost, shipping requirements, and other unique needs.
However, finding the right wholesale distributor can become a nightmare at times. That’s why we are here to help. We’re going to tell you how to find a wholesale supplier for your store.
How Do I Find Wholesale Suppliers?
Below are the seven best ways to find wholesale suppliers for your retail or online store.
Understand Your Industry’s Wholesale Distribution Channels
A product goes from manufacturer to retailer in many different ways. Some wholesalers are niche-specific, so they serve a specific market. You must understand your industry and its various distribution channels to find the right wholesale dealer for your store.
The major distribution channels in the wholesale industry are:
- Manufacturer– You can buy some products directly from the manufacturer without involving any intermediaries.
- Exclusive Distributors – In this method, intermediaries (usually sales representatives) distribute the manufacturer’s products to specific sales outlets.
- Selective distributors– With selective distribution, the manufacturer allows a specific group of wholesalers to sell their goods to final consumers.
- Intensive distributors– With this approach, the manufacturer tries to have their products in as many sales outlets as possible.
- Regional Distributors– Involves regional representatives who take products from the manufacturers and sell them to local wholesalers, and they finally sell to sales outlets. You want to identify your industry’s unique distribution channels and find dealers accordingly.
Use Online Wholesale Supplier Directory or B2B Marketplaces
Business-to-business (B2B) marketplaces or online wholesale supplier directories allow you to find a list of wholesale distribution companies. These directories can also help you brainstorm new product ideas for your online or retail store.
Here are some best wholesale suppliers directories you can use:
Alibaba– One of the most popular B2B marketplaces where you can find millions of products in various categories with vetted suppliers.
Le Reve Solutions– A B2B marketplace that connects buyers with verified suppliers in various product categories
DHgate– Contains a database of millions of registered suppliers selling products in more than 27 categories.
Wholesale Central– Updates a list of verified wholesale manufacturers, distributors, and importers on a daily basis.
Contact the Manufacturer to Find their Wholesalers
Sometimes, contacting the manufacturer removes the need for a middleman and saves you from cutting into your profits, so consider starting at the source. If you want to sell branded items, directly contact the product’s manufacturer. You can find their contact information on their business websites or official social media handles.
If you don’t meet the requirements of selling the company’s products, ask them for a list of distributors working with them or other reputable wholesale suppliers you may contact. Suppose you want to sell the Good Start Formula of Gerber. All you have to do is go to their website and find contact information to reach out to them. You can contact the company and let them know that you’re interested in selling its products. They’ll tell you the process.
Find Reputable Wholesale Suppliers at Trade Shows
Trade shows are one of the most powerful tools to find and connect with potential wholesale suppliers. Trade shows are exhibitions usually held annually where manufacturers and wholesalers can display their products, and retailers can connect with them. These shows also allow you to find incredible deals offered by show participants during the event.
Join both domestic and international B2B trade shows that are industry-specific. Domestic trade shows are held in a local city, state, or country and provide you with an excellent opportunity to discover local manufacturers and suppliers. Likewise, international trade shows are beneficial if you want to sell imported products.
Industry-specific trade shows also allow you to communicate and build relations with a range of manufacturers or wholesalers in your industry. Face-to-face conversations not only facilitate healthy communication but often open new doors of opportunities for you.
Find Wholesale Distribution Companies on Google
Google is an excellent tool to find wholesalers and bulk suppliers related to your industry or niche. It’s all a game of keywords- type the right keywords in Google’s search bar, and you’ll find amazing results. Try searching with brand names, product names, model numbers, and other specific information available.
Google search will help you find websites or contact information of potential wholesale suppliers. If you can’t find the contact information on Google or a website, a WHOIS search will help. WHOIS contains a database of the registered domains where you can find their contact information.
Use Google to Find Local and International Wholesale Suppliers
Google search can help you find both local wholesalers and wholesalers from around the world. However, you’ll have to do in-depth research to find the best suppliers. You may not get the relevant results by simply searching “skincare wholesalers.”
Here are a few things you can do to get desired results:
- Be specific– Make your search as specific as possible. For instance, you may search for “bulk wholesale clothing suppliers in Texas” instead of “clothing wholesalers.”
- Go Regional– When looking for dealers in a specific location, try searching with the location name, such as “bulk wholesale clothing suppliers USA.”
- Use Quotes– Using quotes helps you get more refined results, such as you’ll get a different set of results for wholesale clothing suppliers USA and “wholesale clothing suppliers USA”.
- Use Colons– Colons are helpful to find results on a specific website. For instance, if you wish to search for all content about toy suppliers on Le Reve Solutions, search “toys suppliers site:lerevesolutions.com.”
- Use Near Me- Searching with “Near me” will help you find a list of wholesalers in your local proximity. Search for “children toys wholesale distributors near me,” and you’ll understand.
Subscribe to Your Industry’s Trade Publications
Industry-specific trade magazines can provide you with a wealth of information about your industry’s businesses and manufacturers. Most advertisers in trade magazines are either manufacturers or distributors looking for you to sell their products.
Subscribe to these magazines to find some credible wholesale dealers and manufacturers. Also, subscribe to these magazines’ online newsletter and blogs to stay updated with recent industry trends.
You can also join online forums and social media platforms where manufacturers and wholesalers hang out. It can not only help network with them but can also open new doors of opportunities for you.
I hope this article helps you find the best wholesale suppliers for your store. You may want to check our B2B marketplace, Le Reve Solutions, to list your wholesale products or connect with a reputable wholesaler.
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