If you have enough startup capital and experience in managing large-scale business operations with a background in logistics, then you may want to consider starting a wholesale business.
A wholesale business is a business that engages in the sale of goods in wholesale. They purchase goods in bulk from manufacturers or distributors at a discounted price and then sell those goods to retailers, other businesses, or sometimes directly to consumers.
This business idea cuts across different products in the manufacturing industry. In this article, we will look at some of the best wholesale business ideas you can choose from.
Best Wholesale Business ideas
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Clothing and Apparel Wholesale Business
When we talk about clothing and apparel wholesale business, we are talking about a business that engages in the purchasing and supply or sale of different types of clothes and apparel to boutiques, stores, and retailers who retail clothes and apparel such as T-shirts, jeans, dresses, jackets, sweaters, leggings, hoodies, skirts, suits, and sleepwear, and activewear et al.
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Electronics and Gadgets
If you have the required capital and experience in electronics and gadgets, then you may want to consider going into the electronics and gadgets wholesale business.
Interestingly, there are several types of electronics and gadgets that you can start selling on a wholesale level. Electronics and gadgets such as:
Televisions, home theatres, smartphones, laptops, tablets, smartwatches, headphones, speakers, digital cameras, gaming consoles, drones, fitness trackers, virtual reality headsets, and portable power banks et al are always in high demand hence you will be able to make a good sale.
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Home Decor and Furnishings
There are several home décors items and furnishings that can be sold wholesale. If you have eyes for any of these fast-moving items, and you know how to connect with the manufacturers, then you may want to consider starting a home décor and furnishing business.
Trust me, home décors and furnishings such as sofas, coffee tables, rugs, wall art, mirrors, curtains, lamps, throw pillows, bookshelves, and indoor plants are fast moving in areas where the real estate market is booming.
So, if you are planning to start a home décor and furnishings wholesale business, then, you may want to consider choosing a location where your items will be in high demand.
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Kitchenware and Cooking Supplies
A kitchenware and cooking supplies wholesale business is a business that engages in the distribution or sale of items such as:
Cookware sets, knives, cutting boards, mixing bowls, utensil sets, baking sheets, measuring cups and spoons, food storage containers, blenders, toasters, coffee makers, pressure cookers, slow cookers, graters, and colanders among others.
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Beauty and Personal Care Products
The only snag here is that you will be competing with loads of wholesalers who are also engaged in the wholesale distribution of beauty and personal care products.
Even at that, those who are into beauty and personal care products wholesaling know how to select their products, brands, and locations to avoid unnecessary competition.
The truth is that there are several options when it comes to beauty and personal care products, you may choose from products such as:
Shampoo, conditioner, body wash, facial cleanser, moisturizer, sunscreen, makeup remover, lip balm, perfume, deodorant, hair styling products, face masks, eye cream, nail polish, body lotion et al from Procter & Gamble (P&G), Johnson & Johnson, Estée Lauder Companies, Coty Inc., and Revlon Inc. among others.
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Health and Wellness Supplements
One of the fastest ways you can make money in recent times is to engage in the sale of health and wellness supplements.
This is so because there is a growing market for health and wellness supplements not just in the United States of America, but all across the world.
There are several health and wellness supplements from different production companies that you can sell on a wholesale level.
But, in some cases, you may have to become a licensed distributor before you can legally engage in the wholesale of health and wellness supplements.
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Pet Supplies
If you live in a city where there are loads of pet owners and pet stores or retail outlets, and you are looking for a wholesale business to start, then you may want to consider going into the pet supplies wholesale business.
Of course, several pet supplies are always in high demand and you may want to consider selling such items on a wholesale level. Interestingly, there is always a steady market for pet supplies such as:
Dog food, cat food, pet treats, pet toys, pet beds, cat litter, dog collars, cat collars, pet carriers, pet grooming tools, dog leashes, cat scratching posts, bird cages, aquariums, and reptile terrariums.
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Toys and Games
Starting a toys and games wholesale business should be strategic; you can only succeed if the business is strategically located.
Of course, you know that the toys and games wholesale business will be a flop in a city that has a large demography of retirees.
In case you want to start a toys and games wholesale business, then you should approach companies such as Hasbro, Mattel, LEGO Group, Nintendo, Spin Master, Funko, Playmobil, MGA Entertainment, WowWee, Bandai, Fisher-Price, Hot Wheels (Mattel), and Spin Master.
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Stationery and Office Supplies
Starting a stationery and office supplies wholesale business is not capital intensive especially if you want to start on a small scale.
The truth is that the stationery and office supplies wholesale business is a profitable business especially if you know the right products to sell, and of course, the right location to start the business.
Stationery and office supplies wholesale business will thrive in locations where you have schools, offices, books, and stationery stores.
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Jewellery and Accessories
The jewelry and accessories wholesale business is considered a capital-intensive business especially if you are dealing in gold and other precious metals, but you can rest assured that it is a profitable business.
If you are interested in starting a jewelry and accessories wholesale business, you might want to consider selling and distributing products such as necklaces, bracelets, earrings, rings, watches, sunglasses, hair accessories, cufflinks et al.
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Automotive Parts and Accessories
Automotive parts and accessories are always in high demand because automobiles are subjected to wear and tear hence some of the parts will always need to be replaced from time to time. For example, automotive parts and accessories such as:
Tires, spark plugs, oil filters, brake pads, windshield wipers, air filters, batteries, car mats, car covers, steering wheel covers, engine oil, transmission fluid, suspension, headlights, and bulbs are fast selling especially if you know the brands that people always look out for.
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Sports Equipment and Gear
A sports equipment and gear wholesale business is a business that engages in wholesaling sports equipment and gear such as
Soccer balls, basketball, football, baseball bats, tennis rackets, golf clubs, hockey sticks, volleyball, ski boots, snowboards, running shoes, yoga mat, cycling helmet, swimming goggles, and climbing harness et al.
Note that this type of business will do pretty well in cities where sports of various kinds are a priority to the citizens of the city.
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Craft Supplies
There are several options when it comes to craft supplies because craft supplies cover a wide range of products. If you are interested in starting a craft supplies business, you have the option of choosing some or all of the following craft supplies:
Paintbrushes, acrylic paints, sketch pads, modeling clay, glue guns, fabric paint, beads, sewing needles, knitting yarn, scrapbooking paper, embroidery floss, wood crafts, origami paper, candle making kits, calligraphy pens and the list goes on.
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Party Supplies
One good thing about party supplies wholesale business is that the business is bound to thrive in a location where parties are usually organized regularly.
It could be birthday parties, wedding parties, graduation parties, housewarming parties, and any celebration that calls for partying. Those who are into party supplies wholesale business usually have supplies such as:
Balloons, streamers, party hats, confetti, disposable plates, cups, napkins, cutlery, tablecloths, party invitations, party favors, pinatas, cake toppers, decorative lights, and banners et al.
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Baby Products
If you want to start a baby products wholesale business, then you must target locations with a demography of young couples, or young families.
This is important because if you locate your baby products wholesale business in a city with a high demography of retirees, then you will run at a loss.
Apart from choosing the right location to start this type of business, another secret that will guarantee you success is to make sure you distribute fast-moving baby products from notable brands that are accepted in your city.
It could be baby products such as diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, baby bottles, pacifiers, baby clothing, baby car seats, baby strollers, baby monitors, baby toys et al from baby products brands such as:
Johnson & Johnson, Procter & Gamble (Pampers), Kimberly-Clark Corporation (Huggies), Gerber, Philips Avent, Graco, Fisher-Price, Chicco, and Munchkin et al.
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Food and Beverage Products
If you are looking to start a wholesale business to make sales regularly, then you may want to consider starting a food and beverage products wholesale business.
When we talk of food and beverage products wholesale business, we are talking of a business that is into the sale and distribution of bottled water, soft drinks, coffee beans, tea bags, potato chips, chocolate bars, breakfast cereals, bread, milk, cheese, fresh fruits, fresh vegetables, frozen pizza, energy drinks, snack bars, and the list is endless.
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Organic and Natural Products
The market for organic and natural products is on the rise, and loads of entrepreneurs are making good money from the trend.
This means that if you want to start a wholesale business, then you may want to consider starting an organic and natural products wholesale business.
An organic and natural products wholesale business sells organic fruits, vegetables, milk, eggs, meat, poultry, grains, nuts, seeds, honey, tea, coffee, skincare products, cleaning products, and baby food et al.
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Packaging Materials
If you are looking to sell wholesale products that can be used by different manufacturing companies or retail stores, then you may want to consider starting a packaging materials wholesale business.
The good thing about the packaging materials wholesale business is that it is a business that you can start with a single product or multiple products. Wholesaling packing materials involves selling materials that are used for packaging products.
It could be nylon, paper bags, cardboard boxes, bubble wrap, packing tape, shipping envelopes, packing paper, and Styrofoam sheets.
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Gardening Supplies
The truth is that the market for gardening supplies is constant because everyone who owns a garden is expected to keep the garden in shape at all times.
If you are interested in starting a gardening supplies wholesale business, then you may want to consider distributing or selling items such as:
Gardening gloves, garden trowel, pruning shears, watering cans, garden hoses, potting soil, plant pots, garden fork, rake, hedge trimmers, garden sprayer, plant fertilizer, garden kneeler, garden scissors, and garden markers et al.
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Cleaning Products
One good thing about starting a cleaning products wholesale business is that your products will always be in demand. This is so because it is expected that people and businesses will always make use of different types of cleaning products to clean.
It could be car leaners, plate cleaners, rug cleaners, grease cleaners, tile cleaners, and any cleaning products that people in and around your location are using.
All you need to get started with this type of business is to partner with cleaning products manufacturing companies as a wholesale distributor of their products.
For example, if you are in the United States, you may want to consider cleaning products manufacturing companies such as:
Procter & Gamble (P&G), Clorox Company, The Honest Company, Method Products, Reckitt Benckiser Group (RB), SC Johnson, and Seventh Generation.
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Home Improvement Tools and Supplies
Home improvement tools and supplies wholesale business is a business that is into wholesaling items such as power drills, hammers, screwdriver sets, tape measures, levels, adjustable wrenches, pliers, utility knives, saws, paintbrushes, paint rollers, sandpaper, caulking gun, ladder, and work gloves et al.
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Eco-friendly Products
If you are looking to start a wholesale business that is less competitive at the moment, then you may want to consider starting an eco-friendly products wholesale business.
This is so because eco-friendly products are products that meet immediate needs in such a way that they won’t affect the ecosystem.
There are several eco-friendly products out there you can sell wholesale especially if you have the capital. Products such as:
Reusable water bottles, eco-friendly cleaning products, bamboo toothbrushes, reusable shopping bags, solar-powered chargers, LED light bulbs, organic cotton clothing, biodegradable disposable plates, stainless steel straws,
Compostable food containers, recycled paper products, eco-friendly kitchenware (e.g., bamboo utensils), natural fiber rugs, eco-friendly beauty products, and even electric vehicles are all eco-friendly products you can sell.
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DIY Kits and Supplies
The fact that there is an increased number of people who are embracing the Do It Yourself approach to solving problems or getting things done at home means that there is an increased demand for DIY kits and supplies. Interestingly, there is no limit to the types of DIY kits and supplies you can sell wholesale.
It could be items such as candle-making kits, soap-making kits, jewelry-making kits, tie-dye kits, woodworking kits, sewing kits, embroidery kits,
Pottery kits, terrarium kits, model-building kits, leather craft kits, paper crafting kits, bead jewelry kits, macrame kit, and painting kits et al.
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Novelty Items
Not a lot of businesses are into wholesaling novelty items hence it is a business that you can comfortably start and make good profits from within a short time frame if you have your plans right.
When we talk of novelty items wholesale business, we are talking of wholesale businesses that sell novelty mugs, funny socks, novelty T-shirts, novelty keychains, whoopee cushions, fake mustaches, novelty sunglasses, rubber chickens, novelty phone cases, fake eyebrows, novelty pens, silly hats, novelty magnets, gag gifts, and novelty stress balls et al.
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Craft Beer and Wine
It is common to see craft beer and wine being sold in bars and wine stores et al, but it is also not uncommon to see a business that is into the wholesaling of craft beers and wine.
All you need to do to get the business up and running is to make sure you partner with craft beer and wine production companies so that you can become their wholesale distributors.
For example, if you plan to start your craft beer and wine wholesale business in the United States, you may want to consider approaching companies such as:
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co., New Belgium Brewing Company, Dogfish Head Craft Brewery, Stone Brewing, Lagunitas Brewing Company, Sam Adams (Boston Beer Company), Brooklyn Brewery, Deschutes Brewery, Oskar Blues Brewery, and Founders Brewing Co. et al.
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Books and Magazines
One good thing about the books and magazines wholesale business is that there are different niche ideas you can choose from if you don’t want to be a generalist.
You can choose to be a wholesale distributor of law books, medical books, school books, encyclopedias, or books in any specific field. You can also work with different authors or publishers as a wholesale distributor of their books and magazines.
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Seasonal Products
If you have a day job, or you have another business you are running but you want to still start a whole business in your spare time, then you may want to consider starting a seasonal products wholesale business.
Of course, different products are seasonal, and you may want to cash in on these types of products. When we talk of seasonal products we are talking of products such as:
Christmas Decorations, Halloween Costumes, Easter Eggs, Valentine’s Day Chocolates, Thanksgiving Turkey, Back-to-School Supplies, Summer Swimwear, Winter Jackets, Spring Cleaning Supplies, and Fourth of July Fireworks et al.
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Musical Instruments and Accessories
Although starting a musical instruments and accessories wholesale business might require reasonable capital, but it is a business that is profitable especially if you have the right musical instruments and accessories, and your business is strategically located.
Interestingly, there is a wide range of musical instruments and accessories you can sell wholesale. They include; acoustic guitar, electric guitar, drum set, keyboard/piano, violin, saxophone, flute, trumpet, clarinet, ukulele, microphone, guitar picks, drumsticks, guitar straps, sheet music, et al.
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Cosmetics and Makeup Products
One good thing about the cosmetics and makeup products wholesale business is that there are several options when it comes to cosmetics and makeup products.
You may choose from products such as foundation, concealer, mascara, eyeliner, lipstick, lip gloss, blush, eyeshadow, highlighter, and setting spray et al from different brands that are in high demand in your city.
You should also make sure you start the business in a city with a reasonable number of makeup artists and markup studios.
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Specialty Teas and Coffees
A specialty tea and coffee wholesale business is no doubt one of the best wholesale business ideas out there. This is so because you will face less competition even as a new entrant into this line of business.
Interestingly, there is a growing number of companies who are into the production of specialty teas and coffees hence you have options when it comes to the products you want to sell wholesale.
If you intend to start your specialty teas and coffee wholesale business in the United States, you may want to consider working with companies such as:
Teavana (owned by Starbucks), Peet’s Coffee, Stash Tea, The Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf, Allegro Coffee Company (Whole Foods Market), Mighty Leaf Tea, Harney & Sons, Tazo Tea (owned by Starbucks), Numi Organic Tea, and Rishi Tea et al.