wholesale

Wholesale refers to the sale of goods in bulk, typically to retailers, other wholesalers, or institutional buyers, rather than to end consumers. Wholesalers act as intermediaries in distribution, bridging manufacturers and downstream buyers.

Types: merchant wholesalers purchase goods and resell them; they may provide services such as storage, credit, marketing support. Brokers and agents facilitate sales between buyers and sellers without taking title. Manufacturers' sales branches and offices market products directly. Cash-and-carry wholesalers sell to retailers with limited service; drop shippers coordinate order fulfillment from manufacturers to retailers but do not handle goods in their own warehouses.

Functions: bulk breaking, storage, financing, risk bearing, market information, product assortment, logistics. They reduce transaction costs and provide economies of scale, helping retailers and other buyers manage inventory and procurement policy.

Wholesalers primarily serve businesses and markets; retailers sell to consumers. In the digital era, wholesale activity often occurs through online platforms, while some manufacturers sell directly. Wholesale hubs and distribution channels continue to link producers with retailers and institutions.