25 Best Wholesale & Distributor Business Ideas (2023)
Thinking about starting a wholesale business, but still looking for the perfect idea?
We put together a list of some of the best wholesale and distributor business ideas we could find (based on real-world data from our 3,000+ case studies).
Whether you're looking for small distribution business ideas, or wholesale business ideas with low investment, read through this list and you'll find some that might really inspire you.
Here's 25 profitable wholesale and distributor business ideas you can start in 2022:
1. Start a children's clothing business
The children's clothing business has grown rapidly over the last few years, and in 2022 was valued at $263.30 billion.
Starting a children's clothing business gives you the opportunity to be your own boss while working in a field you enjoy. While you have to be prepared to work long hours and put in lots of hard effort, it can be extremely rewarding if successful.
Hello, I am Charles Carette, CEO & Co-founder of Bambox. We developed the first monthly subscription-based ecommerce for baby essentials combined with a virtual assistant to guide new parents throughout their baby’s first 3 years. We operate in Buenos Aires, Argentina.
2. Start a jewelry wholesaler
If you are considering starting a jewelry business, jewelry wholesale is a thriving market.
Jewelry wholesalers purchase personal ornaments such as necklaces, rings, or bracelets made from jewels and other precious metals and sell them to the customers at a profit.
When starting a jewelry wholesaler business, find the perfect jewelry niche, one in which you can reach the target customers easily. Then, create a detailed inventory and select a proper distribution channel to get the right customers.
My name is Long Shuai, the founder of Silverbene. Our main business is mainly focused on the following 2 points:
Our clients are mainly jewelry brands, distributors, and stores. Now we are supplying more than 3,500 jewelry stores over the world and send out over 90,000 items every month. Our revenue reaches 450K USD per month this year.
3. Start a kitchen utensils distributor
The global cookware market size has been growing rapidly, and it is expected to expand at an annual growth rate of 6.5 for the next years.
One way to profit from the growing market is to start a utensils wholesaler business. To start, decide what kitchen utensils to focus on, then identify the best manufacturers so you supply quality to your target customer.
I and my husband Mr. Chirag Visaria are the founder and director of the brand PDD Falcon. I am an IT professional, turned into a woman entrepreneur leading the family legacy and aspiring to manifest my expertise in the 35-year-old family business.
The brand began with a small t.o. of 10 l in the first year. But today we stand at a forecast of 12 cr and above for f.y. 2022-23 with the company valued at 25Cr. It’s purely due to the support of our channel partners. Before the closing of this financial year, we shall expand our offline network to 60 distributors reaching out to more than 8000 dealers. More sales are expected to come from export avenues.
4. Start a snacks distributor
Pretty everyone loves a treat from time to time. If you have the entrepreneurial spirit, you can tap into the demand by starting a snacks wholesale business.
Snacks can be very profitable, especially if you choose the natural low-sugar or sugar-free snacks. Remember, consumers are turning to natural and organic-inspired snacks because they perceive them as healthier and made without natural, artificial additives, and the trend is growing worldwide.
Therefore, research the target market and partner with suppliers who focus on meeting the demands of modern customers.
Hey, I’m Dustin Finkel, the creator, and CEO of Ka-Pop! and Awakened Foods (a new Holding Company that owns Ka-Pop!, Bubba’s Fine Foods, and Awakened Food Crafters). We are an innovative and fearlessly delicious snack company. I started these businesses to create snacks that were genuinely authentic and craveably delicious. It’s disheartening how many consumers have lost their trust in ‘healthy foods’ because they are either misleading in their claims and/or require you to give up taste.
5. Become a gifts and handicrafts distributor
Handicrafts are handmade products representing a nation's or tribe’s culture, values, and traditions. Gifts and handicrafts play a vital role in allowing people to show love and appreciation.
Therefore, if you are looking to start a business that promotes culture and beliefs, you can become a gifts and handicrafts wholesaler. The target market can be businesses specializing in corporate or social gifting such as birthday gifting, anniversary gifts, or other special occasions.
Hello, I am Ross Nochumowitz and I founded and operate Baltimore in a Box: a popular gifting company that allows one to customize a Baltimore-inspired care package and ship it anywhere in the world. We make it easy to do all of this without lifting a finger (other than pressing the keys on your computer, tablet, or smartphone).
For the past couple of years, we have been working on growing our brand via our own Baltimore-themed Ice Cream line to help market our gift box business called: Baltimore in a Box Ice Cream. We teamed up with a local Ice Cream maker and produced uniquely Baltimore flavors inspired by the very items we include in our gift boxes.
6. Start an automobile parts business
The automobile wholesale business sells auto parts to other businesses. This can include anything from car seats and tires to the engine oil and brake pads. The main goal of the automobile parts business is to source the items at a lower price and sell them to retailers at the wholesale price so that their customers can make a profit when they resell the products.
The typical customer base for this type of company will be auto repair shops, car dealerships, and body shops. Before you can open the automobile wholesale business it is good idea to research the market to see how the competition is, and know which parts are in demand.
Hey everyone! My name is Mitchel Matthews and I am a 22-year-old entrepreneur. I am the owner/founder of Adrenaline Offroad which is an eCommerce store for aftermarket vehicle accessories! We mainly focus our expertise in the realm of automotive LED lighting accessories. Our products are built for a person who will endure hardcore offroading situations with their vehicle all the way to people who attend multiple shows per month in their show trucks! Some of our most popular products being our RGB+W underglow/rock light & LED wheel ring lights. In just over a year of quitting my job to pursue my passion for truck mods full time, I am so beyond proud & excited to be making 5x the amount of money that I used to make per month!
Pictured above is our most popular bundle kit called “The UFO GLOW Bundle Kit”
7. Start a building and construction items distributor
A building and construction items distributor business involves sourcing and supplying a range of products needed for construction projects. These products can include everything from building materials and tools to plumbing and electrical supplies.
To run a successful business in this field, it is important to have a thorough understanding of the construction industry and the specific products needed for different types of projects. Building solid relationships with suppliers and contractors is also key, offering competitive prices and reliable delivery services.
Another important aspect of this business is staying updated with industry trends and new products that may be in demand. It is also essential to have a strong marketing strategy to attract new clients and stand out from competitors.
To start this business, it is essential to conduct market research and determine the specific products and services in high demand in your area. Having a solid business plan in place and securing the necessary financing to cover startup costs and inventory is also essential.
Overall, a building and construction items distributor business can be a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs with a passion for the construction industry and a strong focus on customer service and building solid relationships with clients.
Our Z Counterform System for countertops and Z Poolform System for concrete pool coping are the go-to solutions for cast-in-place concrete forms. With a small but dedicated team, we grew this business from an idea to over $12M in revenue in 10 years.
8. Start a furniture wholesaler
A furniture wholesaler business is a company that specializes in the sale of furniture to other businesses, such as furniture retailers, interior designers, and commercial spaces. These businesses usually purchase furniture in bulk at wholesale prices, then sell it at a markup to their own customers.
The main focus of a furniture wholesaler business is sourcing and purchasing high-quality furniture from manufacturers and suppliers. This can include everything from traditional furniture like sofas and dining room sets to more specialized items like office chairs and outdoor patio furniture.
To run a successful furniture wholesaler business, there are a few essential tips to keep in mind:
Maintain a wide selection of furniture: To appeal to a diverse range of customers, it’s important to offer a wide selection of furniture styles and designs. This includes classic and modern styles and furniture made from different materials like wood, metal, and leather.
Source high-quality furniture: The quality of your furniture will significantly impact customer satisfaction. Make sure to work with reputable manufacturers and suppliers who offer durable and well-made products.
Build strong relationships with your customers: Building strong relationships with your customers is key to success in the furniture wholesale business. This includes offering excellent customer service, providing timely delivery, and being flexible with custom orders.
Stay up-to-date on industry trends: To stay competitive, it’s important to stay up-to-date on the latest trends in the furniture industry. This can include keeping an eye on new materials and styles and keeping track of changes in consumer preferences.
Overall, a furniture wholesaler business offers a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs to help furnish homes and businesses worldwide. This business can be a lucrative and rewarding venture by focusing on quality products, excellent customer service, and staying current with industry trends.
9. Become a herbal and ayurvedic products distributor
Experts anticipate that the global ayurvedic herbs market will reach $21.6 billion in the next few years. They attribute this market increment to the product's ability to preserve health and wellness by keeping the mind, body, and spirit balanced and preventing diseases rather than treating them.
With the growing demand for herbal and ayurvedic products, selling these herbs and spices on Alibaba is a great option for entrepreneurs interested in starting an online business.
You can simply list the products on eCommerce platforms or start dropshipping service.
Hi there! My name is Maddie Miles and I am the founder of Peace. Love. Hormones. I formulate herbal nutraceuticals to support women’s (and all of those with ovaries and a uterus) menstrual health and to empower them with the innate wisdom to live in harmony with their cycles and prevent period pain and PMS.
10. Start a hospital equipment distribution
A hospital equipment distribution business involves sourcing and distributing medical equipment to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. This can include everything from basic supplies such as gloves and bandages to specialized equipment like surgical instruments and diagnostic machines.
Running a successful hospital equipment distribution business requires a thorough understanding of the medical industry and the specific needs of healthcare providers. It is important to have a reliable network of suppliers to source high-quality equipment at competitive prices and to establish strong relationships with hospitals and other clients to ensure consistent and reliable delivery.
Adequate inventory and logistics management is also crucial to success in this business. This may include implementing systems for tracking and restocking supplies and coordinating with transportation companies to ensure timely delivery.
To start a hospital equipment distribution business, entrepreneurs should research the market and identify gaps in the current supply chain. They should also consider partnerships with established medical equipment manufacturers or distributors to access a broader range of products.
Finally, it is important to have strong communication and customer service skills to ensure that clients receive the products and support they need. This may include providing technical support or training on using specific equipment.
Overall, a hospital equipment distribution business offers a valuable service to the healthcare industry and can be a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs with the right skills and resources.
Hello there! My name is Varghese Samuel, and I am the CEO and Managing Director of KOGLAND Commerce Pvt Ltd.
We partner with the top and cutting-edge medical technology partners to enable the availability of high-quality medical supplies. With a vast & wide range of medical consumables and healthcare products listed on our website, KOGLAND today is one of India’s fastest-growing online surgical supply stores with a ten-fold increase in revenues, steady growth in online traffic, aggressive hiring, and scaling up plans.
11. Become an organic food distributor
Hello, my name is Mark Anderson, and I am the CEO and Founder of Drake’s Organic Spirits, the only spirit on the market that is certified USDA Organic, Gluten Free, Non-GMO Project Verified, Vegan and Kosher. Our products include spirits, mixers, SpikedIce ® Pops, and Boxtails ®, ready-to-serve cocktails in a box! All the ingredients we use for all our products are organic!
Among all of our spirits, it is particularly worth calling out that Drake’s Organic Vodka – which is the basis for 3 of our 5 Boxtails, and of course vodka leads US spirits consumption by a mile -- is made from organic, non-GMO sugar cane, while most competitors based their spirit on genetically modified corn ethanol, which is very hard on the planet.
12. Become an apparel wholesaler
My name is Anthony Mellor and if it sounds familiar, it’s because this is my second time on Starter Story. The first story I featured in was about my previous business - Absolute Fitness Apparel. Now, a little over a year later I decided to move away from that business after spotting a gap in the sportswear manufacturing market.
Since the launch of our services in November of 2018, we’ve sold around £55,000 in stock to brands through both white labeling and bespoke product servicing.
13. Start a textiles business
My name is Laurie Nickerson and I and the co-owner of Puppet Pelts. At Puppet Pelts, we manufacture and sell hand dyed fabric used for puppet skins to professional puppet builders around the world.
Our Pelts are made from a textile that is really only used for puppets. It is a wonderfully stretchy nylon fleece fabric that is milled in the United States. We buy the fabric in white and dye it a bunch of colors to sell to our customers.
14. Start a hospital equipment distribution
A hospital equipment distribution business involves sourcing and distributing medical equipment to hospitals, clinics, and other healthcare facilities. This can include everything from basic supplies such as gloves and bandages to specialized equipment like surgical instruments and diagnostic machines.
Running a successful hospital equipment distribution business requires a thorough understanding of the medical industry and the specific needs of healthcare providers. It is important to have a reliable network of suppliers to source high-quality equipment at competitive prices and to establish strong relationships with hospitals and other clients to ensure consistent and reliable delivery.
Adequate inventory and logistics management is also crucial to success in this business. This may include implementing systems for tracking and restocking supplies and coordinating with transportation companies to ensure timely delivery.
To start a hospital equipment distribution business, entrepreneurs should research the market and identify gaps in the current supply chain. They should also consider partnerships with established medical equipment manufacturers or distributors to access a broader range of products.
Finally, it is important to have strong communication and customer service skills to ensure that clients receive the products and support they need. This may include providing technical support or training on using specific equipment.
Overall, a hospital equipment distribution business offers a valuable service to the healthcare industry and can be a lucrative opportunity for entrepreneurs with the right skills and resources.
Hello there! My name is Varghese Samuel, and I am the CEO and Managing Director of KOGLAND Commerce Pvt Ltd.
We partner with the top and cutting-edge medical technology partners to enable the availability of high-quality medical supplies. With a vast & wide range of medical consumables and healthcare products listed on our website, KOGLAND today is one of India’s fastest-growing online surgical supply stores with a ten-fold increase in revenues, steady growth in online traffic, aggressive hiring, and scaling up plans.
15. Become an organic food wholesaler
I’m Parker Garlitz, one of the Co-Founders of True Leaf Market. We are an independent seed company offering heirloom, non-GMO and organic seeds. We also offer growing supplies and starter kits. We sell to home gardeners up to professional growers. We offer traditional vegetable garden, flower and herb seeds as well as specialty seeds like microgreens, sprouts, and wheatgrass. The other Co-Founders are Lance Heaton, Kaitlin Jones & Robb Baumann.
16. Start a home goods business
Hello there! My name is Emilie Casseday and I own and run Blush Boutique Co in historic downtown Greeley, Colorado. Blush is a boutique full of clothes, home goods, jewelry, bath and body products and more. The goal was to have a highly curated and beautiful space full of quality products where you can find something for yourself and someone else as well. One of the most beautiful things that have evolved out of becoming a brick and mortar shop is the community. While first and foremost we are retail space, Blush has an amazing community of women and men. We host events, classes, meetups and more and the relationships that have evolved from that have been an incredible blessing.
Blush started as a humble idea between myself and a friend that quickly went from thought to action. We opened Blush in my basement in 2017 with just a few pieces of clothing, some fun jewelry, and a whole lot of hope. We quickly grew in customers and needed a new space and began to talk brick and mortar. My partner had to step away but I geared up to move into an actual space in our downtown and we continue to grow. Blush is now an established business in the downtown community in Greeley and we are going on our 4th year in business and we aren’t slowing down!
17. Become a coffee wholesaler
My name is Mike Mwenedata. I immigrated to America 6 years ago from Rwanda. I’m the co-founder of Rwanda Bean Coffee Company. We source single origin coffee from Rwanda and roast the beans to perfection here in South Portland, Maine
By expanding to include our own retail locations we have been able to increase revenue from under $3000 per month to over $45k per month in less than 1 year.
18. Start a hygiene product company
Starting a hygiene products business can be a lucrative and rewarding venture. This type of business involves producing and selling products that help people maintain cleanliness and personal hygiene, such as soap, hand sanitizer, and disinfectant wipes.
To start and run this business successfully, you will need to have a solid understanding of the market and the needs of your target customers. You will also need a reliable source of raw materials, such as oils and fragrances, to create your products.
In addition, you will need to have a good business plan in place, including a marketing strategy and a financial plan. You will also need to be willing to invest time and resources into research and development to ensure that your products are of high quality and meet the needs of your customers.
Finally, it is essential to have a solid online presence to reach a wider audience and market your products effectively. This can include a website, social media accounts, and an email list to stay in touch with your customers.
Overall, starting a hygiene products business requires a combination of market research, product development, and effective marketing. With hard work and dedication, this business can be a rewarding and profitable venture.
My name is Jonathan Bradford and I grew up in a household with a father who built his own successful engineering business (my mother would have always said it was in fact always on the verge of bankruptcy fighting off the bailiffs).
As one that has always been very aware of the importance of CLEAN HANDS, I firmly believed from the outset that this concept had legs, in that if I could provide a nice looking dispenser that looked at home in all environments, hold a good number of antibacterial wipes at a reasonable cost, it had to add value to both the club, office or workspace, for it enhances the overall perception of cleanliness within the organization. It puts hand and surface wipes easily within reach of both staff and members leaving NO room for excuses - convenience improving compliance!
19. Become a chocolate wholesaler
I’m Sarah Gross Feoli, the founder and owner of Rescue Chocolate. While our products are only for humans to enjoy, we donate all profits to various animal rescue organizations. I began the company in January 2010, and in the past 8 years have partnered with hundreds of different rescue groups on fundraising.
Our retail customers are chocolate aficionados, animal lovers, local foodies, and anyone with a sweet tooth. On the wholesale side, we are carried at gourmet groceries, pet stores, veterinarian offices, vegan shops, and natural food stores.
20. Become a luxury goods wholesaler
I’m William Scott Forshaw and I am the founder and CEO of Maxwell-Scott. Maxwell-Scott is a British-born luxury leather goods company for the refined professional seeking timeless design and high-quality craftsmanship. As a brand, our ethos is to support slow fashion by creating impeccably-made leather pieces for our customers to cherish and pass on through the generations.
Plus, last year we were nominated for Drapers’ Accessory Brand Of The Year which was a true reason to celebrate. I am so immensely proud of the progress that the team and I have made and know that there is so much more potential for growth.
21. Start a gym equipment supplier
G’day! I am Dave Barnes and I founded the company Gym and Fitness. Gym and Fitness is one of the largest online retailers of home gym equipment in Australia and New Zealand, providing thousands of customers with easy access to gym equipment to help them achieve a fit and healthy lifestyle!
22. Start an outdoor sports store
Hi my name is Julie New and I am the founder of Be Activewear. An online retail store stocking over 60 amazing Activewear and swimwear brands.
I launched the store in October 2014 (spending only $150) and we now do over $1.5 million a year in sales.
23. Start a grains distributor
Hey, I’m Dustin Finkel, the creator, and CEO of Ka-Pop! and Awakened Foods (a new Holding Company that owns Ka-Pop!, Bubba’s Fine Foods, and Awakened Food Crafters). We are an innovative and fearlessly delicious snack company. I started these businesses to create snacks that were genuinely authentic and craveably delicious. It’s disheartening how many consumers have lost their trust in ‘healthy foods’ because they are either misleading in their claims and/or require you to give up taste.
24. Become a computer parts wholesaler
25. Start an ice cream wholesaler
Hey! 👋 I'm Pat Walls, the founder of Starter Story.
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