There are a number of ways to locate wholesalers for your retail store or online shop, including using search engines, going to trade shows, and contacting manufacturers directly.
If you’re looking for reliable wholesale suppliers without spending hours poring over search engine results, your best bet is to use a wholesale directory.
We’ve compiled a list of 11 of the most reliable wholesale directories to help you locate reliable vendors. Both free and paid, the following businesses are among the most widely used and respected on the web.
SaleHoo (Global)
SaleHoo is the largest and most popular wholesale directory available, featuring more than 2.5 million products from more than 8,000 verified suppliers across the globe.
Furthermore, SaleHoo is a highly regarded and trustworthy company with hundreds of positive reviews on TrustPilot and countless testimonials from actual B2B buyers. SaleHoo has received widespread media attention, with features in publications like Entrepreneur and Forbes.
Whether you’re in the market for wholesale apparel, electronics, toys, or pet supplies, SaleHoo will connect you with the best vendors in your area. When you’ve located a reliable vendor, you can begin ordering from them straight to receive wholesale pricing. Thousands of international vendors from the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and China are listed in this reference book.
SaleHoo is a cheap option because a full year of directory access only costs $67. Members also have access to a growing library of how-to guides and tutorials, as well as a robust market research lab for discovering high-demand products and lucrative niches.
The largest B2B sourcing platform and online wholesale directory
With over 2.5 million products available from 8000 reliable distributors.
Multiple five-star ratings on consumer review platforms like TrustPilot
Forbes Magazine and other top business publications have highlighted us.
Transactions at the wholesale level, conducted directly with the lowest prices guaranteed
WorldwideBrands (Global)
WorldWideBrands, which has been around for over two decades, is widely regarded as the premier resource for wholesale distributors. In fact, the company has earned accreditation from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and has received praise from hundreds of satisfied customers on TrustPilot.
More than 16 million items from thousands of certified wholesale suppliers in the United States, United Kingdom, Europe, China, and more are available on WorldwideBrands, including clothing, fashion accessories, toys, electronics, tools, pet supplies, and homeware.
If you run a business, you can find wholesale partners by searching for a product and then using the filters to narrow down the vast database of suppliers to those who offer what you need. You can narrow down the options by selecting a specific shipping zone, supplier type, product category, etc.
Global wholesale directory that has been the gold standard since 1999
Over 16 million items from tens of thousands of vetted vendors
TrustPilot 5-star-rated business with a perfect BBB rating
The fastest way to locate wholesale vendors for any product or service
Price is low, and membership is permanent for just a single payment.
Alibaba (China)
Alibaba is a major wholesale marketplace online. As a matter of fact, Alibaba features millions of products from thousands of top Chinese wholesalers and manufacturers. In a matter of minutes, you can begin sourcing products for your eCommerce or brick-and-mortar store.
You can use Alibaba without spending a dime. Membership is free, and there are no other fees involved. Search for a specific product or browse the extensive network of categories to locate reliable Chinese manufacturers who sell at factory direct prices.
Additionally, Alibaba’s millions of wholesale products are adaptable in a variety of ways, including through private labeling. Because of this, it’s the go-to option for making a name for yourself in the marketplace.
An important Chinese online wholesale directory
There are millions of items available from thousands of trusted wholesalers.
Easy-to-navigate, lightning-fast website with a guarantee for customers.
You can access thousands of user reviews for free on TrustPilot.
Wholesale pricing from the manufacturer for maximum profit potential.
Wholesale Central (US)
Wholesale Central is the best free to use directory for US-based retailers and resellers, featuring over 350,000 products from over 1000 trusted suppliers.
The website has everything you need to quickly find wholesale sources, and it’s very simple to use. Shoppers can either peruse the available selections by category or conduct a targeted search that returns hundreds of results quickly. In fact, there is no requirement for registration or account creation.
Once you’ve located a reliable provider, you can contact them directly through Wholesale Central. You will also be given a direct link to the provider’s website, if applicable.
The United States’ longest running and most trusted wholesale directory.
Over three-hundred-thousand items from one-hundred-and-fifty of the industry’
No account or sign-up is required to use this simple website.
Publish RFQs and get quick price quotes on products.
Includes special offers and discounts that are only available at the end of the sale.
The Wholesaler (UK)
The Wholesaler is the most well-known and well-established wholesale directory available in the United Kingdom.
Actually, The Wholesale was one of the first wholesale directories to appear on the web in the UK. When it debuted in 1999, most wholesale businesses were still relying on print ads. The Wholesaler is still the most popular place to look for wholesale merchandise.
Hundreds of legitimate wholesale suppliers with UK stock are available through The Wholesale. Any list of potential B2B partners can be accessed by simply clicking on the appropriate category.
First UK-based online wholesale directory.
Having been in business since 1999, we have over 20 years of experience.
Use it without creating an account or signing up for anything, because it’s free.
Numerous legitimate wholesalers and vendors
Best option for online merchants and vendors
Global Sources (China)
Global Sources is the go-to platform for millions of international B2B buyers searching for Chinese wholesalers and manufacturers.
Since its inception in 1999, Global Sources has served as a reliable online wholesale directory and marketplace for sourcing products worldwide. Over 10 million unique users visit it each month, resulting in over $500 million in annual revenue.
The site looks fresh and is regularly updated. In addition, it has a low learning curve. Find vendors or merchandise in almost any market segment. Suppliers listed in this directory can be contacted directly to receive quotes tailored to their order size and shipping zone.
Locating vendors has never been easier with this free online directory and market.
Sales of $500 million per year and 10 million unique monthly visitors
There are thousands of verified Chinese wholesalers and products.
Receive quick, accurate quotes from manufacturers at factory-direct prices
Multiple annual trade shows in China
TopTenWholesale (US)
TopTenWholesale, founded in 2011, is a free online trade directory that can be used as a replacement for Wholesale Clearance in order to locate wholesale suppliers based in the United States.
The platform provides instant access to millions of factory-direct products from thousands of wholesale suppliers. TopTenWholesale serves a diverse clientele, from national chains to mom-and-pop shops to vendors at flea markets.
The ability to post buying requests and gain access to a constantly updated list of exclusive wholesale offers and deals are just two of TopTenWholesale’s many special features.
Directory and sourcing tool for wholesalers based in the United States
There are no initiation fees or other costs to use the directory.
Gain immediate access to tens of thousands of reliable vendors.
It’s great for both big stores and mom-and-pop online shops.
An ever-expanding database of unbeatable bulk-buying offers
eSources (UK)
More than 300,000 suppliers and 1.5 million total active listings make eSources, headquartered in London, the UK’s fastest growing online wholesale directory.
eSources also provides access to a vast group of international distributors. In the United States, China, and Europe alone, there are thousands of wholesalers. You can search for products and get quotes, or you can contact the suppliers directly.
Searching the directory and contacting a small number of the listed companies is free of charge. For complete access, however, a paid membership is required. eSources provides comprehensive information on each provider, including profiles that detail the company’s primary offerings, the brands it distributes, the industries it serves, and contact details.
The United Kingdom’s most rapidly expanding list of top wholesalers
There are over a million listings, 300,000 of which are from UK suppliers.
Information on how to get in touch with the company and its policies are included.
Access to a small subset of vendors and their goods is provided at no cost.
Membership for premium buyers at a discounted rate, with full privileges
4WholesaleUSA (US)
4WholesaleUSA is yet another free B2B directory listing the best wholesalers, importers, exporters, and manufacturers in the United States.
Since its launch in 2002, the company’s website has provided direct access to hundreds of suppliers across more than 50 product categories, such as apparel, electronics, personal care, pet supplies, toys, and gifts. It’s great for online shops, marketplace sellers on sites like eBay and Amazon, and anyone else who needs a quick and intuitive shopping platform.
The listings provide comprehensive company contact details, allowing you to begin stock purchases directly from the companies themselves, bypassing any commission fees charged by intermediaries.
a list of wholesalers that do business in the United States
listings in the hundreds, spread across many broad categories
Use it without creating an account or signing up for anything, because it’s free.
If you haven’t already, you should begin buying inventory directly from suppliers.
The interface is straightforward, swift, and simple.
Made-in-China (China)
Made-in-China was founded in 1996 and has since grown to become one of the largest and most dependable online resources for locating Chinese distributors and factories.
Specifically, more than 14 million registered buyers and a massive 6 million suppliers have put their faith in Made-in-China. It offers millions of items across more than 6,000 distinct categories, including but not limited to apparel, jewelry, electronics, tech, pet supplies, and toys.
Purchasing requests for any product, with shipping to almost any country in the world, can be posted, as can searches for products or suppliers.
Directory of Chinese wholesale vendors with the most detailed listings to date
6 million vendors, including wholesalers and exporters, have gained the confidence of more than 14 million registered buyers around the world.
Features items such as garments, pet supplies, presents, instruments, toys, and more.
Browse vendors and product listings, and put in a request to purchase.
Clever Wholesale (US)
Clever Wholesale is a wholesale directory made with US-based retailers and online ecommerce sellers in mind.
Since 1998, the firm has been actively indexing wholesalers, and it now features over a thousand businesses across more than 30 classifications. Also, the website is regularly maintained and updated, with new vendors added every week.
Each provider is described in detail, and all necessary contact information, including street address, email address, and telephone number, is included in each listing.
A comprehensive and open B2B wholesale directory
Over a thousand vendors covering more than 30 distinct product types
Accessible via direct website links and complete contact details.
Supplier information is updated on a weekly basis.
Website with a contemporary design that is both user-friendly and informative.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Below are some frequently asked questions (and th
eir answers) about using a wholesale directory to locate suppliers. If you’re looking for more information on where to find reliable wholesalers, feel free to peruse our other articles and blog posts.
What is a wholesale supplier?
Retailers, online merchants, and individual vendors often purchase in bulk from wholesale suppliers so that they can resell the items at a profit. Schools, hospitals, charities, and universities, as well as more conventional businesses like restaurants, salons, bars, and offices, all make purchases from wholesale companies.
Simply put, wholesalers serve as a middleman between manufacturers and businesses looking to stock up on goods at bulk discounts. Wholesalers typically buy in bulk from manufacturers and then resell the items in smaller quantities, making them more affordable for new and small businesses.
A wholesaler might, for instance, import ten thousand wireless speakers from a manufacturer in China and then resell them to local businesses in case lots of a hundred. This is because wholesalers can buy in bulk and get the products at a discount from the manufacturer.
What is a wholesale directory?
In the business world, a wholesale directory is a website or online platform that facilitates transactions between wholesalers and manufacturers and the wholesale buyers who need their products. It is common practice for wholesale directories to feature both a search bar and a list of categories that customers can peruse to locate a wholesaler that meets their needs.
In most cases, the wholesale directory will also include the necessary contact information for each business, allowing buyers to initiate direct trade with the companies in question with minimal delay. Sometimes the directory will include links to the wholesalers’ websites, where you can ask for pricing information or get in touch with them directly.
Why use a wholesale directory?
There are a number of unique advantages to using a wholesale directory to locate suppliers for your company. Finding reliable wholesalers won’t require you to spend hours poring over results on search engines like Google and Bing.
With the wholesale directory, you’ll have access to a centralized database with information on hundreds, if not thousands, of the best businesses in one convenient location. Finding what you’re looking for in a directory or menu of categories should be a breeze.
Remember that the majority of wholesale directories conduct supplier research and approvals manually. This means you can rest assured that the businesses are legitimate wholesale suppliers. You won’t lose money or have to deal with subpar service or goods.
Using a wholesale directory also allows you to locate suppliers that you would have no other way of locating. Websites like business-to-business marketplaces and directories are crucial tools for today’s trading companies seeking to expand their clientele. Without a wholesale directory, you’ll have a hard time tracking down these businesses.
Why use a paid wholesale directory?
There are a number of benefits to using a paid or premium wholesale directory as opposed to a free one. The biggest perk is having access to a larger pool of potential vendors, along with more detailed company data and cutting-edge sourcing resources.
Reason being, paid directories have a greater obligation to their members to help them locate reliable vendors for any product or market niche. In addition, unlike free directories, paid directories typically do not require suppliers to pay a fee to be included in the directory. This means that free directories can only feature companies that are able to sustain a monthly or annual subscription fee.
Additionally, many paid directories provide sellers with additional resources and features. You can find trending and fast-moving products with the highest profit margins with the help of powerful market research software, which can be accessed through SaleHoo, for instance. Along with its well-known community forum, SaleHoo also provides a wide variety of helpful free guides and devoted customer service.
What is the best free wholesale directory?
If you’re looking for American wholesalers, your best bet is Wholesale Central, while if you’re in the UK, your best bet is The Wholesaler, both of which are free to use. Both of these sites feature extensive databases containing contact information for thousands of reliable vendors.
Alibaba and Global Sources are the best free wholesale directories to use if you’re looking for Chinese suppliers. Thousands of Chinese wholesalers and manufacturers with factory-direct pricing can be found on these websites. Members have raved about how simple and helpful they are.
However, there are a plethora of other cost-free wholesale directory resources from which to choose. While eSources is one of the fastest-growing wholesale directories in the UK, offering users free access to a restricted number of suppliers and products, TopTenWholesale is another great free wholesale directory in the USA.
What is the best paid wholesale directory?
With over 8000 verified suppliers, millions of products, and hundreds of categories, SaleHoo is the best paid wholesale directory. When it comes to customer satisfaction, SaleHoo ranks among the best thanks to its consistently high ratings on review sites like TrustPilot. The United States, the United Kingdom, the European Union, and China are all represented as suppliers.
With over 20 years of experience and thousands of global members, WorldwideBrands is another top paid wholesale directory. In addition, the company has an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and numerous five-star reviews on TrustPilot.
More than 16 million products from thousands of certified wholesalers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Europe, and China are available on WorldwideBrands.
What should I look for in a wholesale supplier?
Several fundamentals should be checked off the list when looking for a wholesale partner. When making large purchases, you want to make sure the products you receive are of the highest quality and will arrive on time. What follows is a rundown of some of the most crucial qualities a wholesaler should possess:
Expertise in the field. Make sure your wholesaler has been around for a while so you can avoid any unnecessary headaches.
Responses were favorable. Finding reviews of a wholesaler on third-party websites like TrustPilot is one of the best ways to do research.
Top-notch goods. Unsurprisingly, locating a reliable wholesaler who offers premium goods is crucial. So, prior to making a large purchase, it’s wise to inquire about available samples.
Dependable shipping. You need to work with a wholesaler that has a track record of prompt and reliable shipping if you want to keep up with the demand for your fast-moving products.
Safe online portal. Your wholesaler’s website, especially any checkout pages, should begin with “https” for security reasons.
Quality work done by trained experts. Professional customer service via email, phone, or live chat is essential in the event of an order error.
How do I find more wholesale suppliers?
Check out our articles and blog posts for a list of additional top wholesale vendors. Our extensive supplier-finding resources include both generic how-to articles and more specific lists of recommended places to buy things like clothes, electronics, and pet supplies.
If you’re interested in keeping up with our regular updates on the top vendors, you can sign up for our newsletter or follow us on social media.
Final Word
Finding reliable wholesale suppliers offering the lowest prices is crucial if you run a retail store or an online ecommerce business and want to maximize your resale profits.
The wholesale directories recommended here are the go-to options for finding reliable suppliers of goods quickly and easily.
In-depth analysis of user feedback, expert opinion, and overall popularity and experience led us to hand-pick these directories as the best available. However, before using a wholesale directory, make sure it is a good fit for your company by conducting your own research and due diligence. You can also use the available free options.
