Types of Wholesalers

Wholesalers divide into three major groups: brokers, merchant wholesalers and agents, and manufacturers' sales offices and branches. Merchant wholesalers are the largest single group of wholesalers, accounting for roughly 50 % of all wholesaling. Merchant wholesalers include two broad kinds: full- service wholesalers and restricted-service wholesalers. Full-service wholesalers provide a complete set of services, while the various limited-service wholesalers offer fewer services to their customers and suppliers. The numerous different types of restricted-service wholesalers carry out varied specialized functions in the distribution channel.