Today, business owners, especially those in the retail or manufacturing sector, must know the difference between suppliers, distributors, and wholesalers. This knowledge helps you to manage your supply chain effectively and create sound marketing strategies. If you have a good idea of ​​who connects manufacturers, who sells in bulk, and who makes better decisions, this will ensure better pricing and smooth product flow. Here we have simplified the difference between a supplier, a distributor, and a wholesaler. Let’s get started!

Supplier vs. Distributor vs. Wholesaler

What is a Supplier?

A supplier sells products to businesses. It acts as an intermediary between manufacturers and other businesses that demand products from the manufacturers. However, sometimes the manufacturer and supplier are the same company, producing and selling their products directly without using intermediaries.

In the FMCG (Fast Moving Consumer Goods) industry, a supplier provides products like snacks, drinks, and personal care items in bulk to distributors, wholesalers, or large retailers. Chocolate suppliers play a crucial role in maintaining a consistent supply of different chocolate brands in the market.

What Is the Role of a Supplier?

Suppliers may sell different products from multiple brands. They provide businesses with the products they are looking for. They have beneficial partnerships with manufacturing companies. This helps others to get fresh and premium-quality products directly from manufacturers. If you want to store products in bulk, contact distributors, wholesalers or retailers to get high-quality products.

The best FMCG company helps businesses to get their required products. They avoid the shortage of food, snacks and more. If you connect with a trusted supplier, they can ensure the quality of the products. 

What is a Distributor?

A distributor helps retailers or wholesalers obtain products in bulk from suppliers and manufacturers. Distributors handle a variety of functions, from warehousing and transportation to marketing.

An FMCG distributor like Treasure Orbit offers a range of products like soaps, juices, foods, baby products, and more to small and large wholesalers. They help businesses receive their products on time and let them store products in bulk in their stores. Small and large businesses connect with them for Maggi noodles, Hershey, Tropicana, Red Bull, and many other sought-after brands.

What Does a Distributor Do?

An FMCG distributor connects with suppliers or manufacturers. And buys goods from them in bulk and then sells the goods to retailers or wholesalers at a discount. Many leading companies manage the local and global distribution of a variety of products. They take care of storing the products safely, delivering them on time, and sometimes even promoting them among the target audience.

Distributors have strong bonds with suppliers and retailers. They can even have great connections with manufacturers. That helps them to maintain quality and provide their products in bulk to small and large businesses. Businesses get help from FMCG distributors to expand their reach and make their products available in more locations. Chocolates like Mars, Ferrero Rocher, Kinder, and Galaxy are easy to find in local shops, online stores, and supermarkets.

What is a Wholesaler?

A wholesaler buys large quantities of products from suppliers or distributors and sells them in smaller quantities to retailers. They rarely buy products directly from manufacturers and also do not sell to end customers. They make products available to retailers in small quantities. For example, a wholesaler can make products available to grocery stores and offer discounts on them. FMCG wholesalers play an important role in the product distribution chain. They can wholesale nutritional drinks like Boost, Bournvita, Nestle’s Nido, and many others. 

What is the Role of a Wholesaler?

Wholesalers are middlemen between distributors or suppliers and retailers. They have a large quantity of goods and sell them in smaller quantities to retailers. Local shopkeepers and supermarket owners can connect with them and get a wide variety of products without having to buy goods in large quantities. 

Wholesalers handle stock management and ensure that goods reach to other businesses. They can also provide Saffola Oats, Coca-Cola, Dove, and other FMCG products, which are in great demand in the market. They can provide packaged food, beverages, snacks, personal care and toiletries. Their role is important in maintaining the availability of the product at a reasonable price.

How Suppliers, Distributors, and Wholesalers Work Together?

Suppliers, distributors and wholesalers work together. They make the entire process of distribution smooth and efficient, which benefits both manufacturers and end consumers. Excellent collaboration between them ensures that products reach the end consumers with quality and safety. 

On the other hand, the distributor buys from the supplier and handles logistics, marketing, and distribution. The wholesaler obtains goods from the distributors and sells them in small quantities to the retailers. All three play a major role in product distribution and ensure seamless delivery. However, not all of these are required in every supply chain. Some companies skip steps. For example, a supplier may sell directly to retailers.

Need Help Selling and Distributing Your Products?

If you want to order your products in bulk, know the difference between an FMCG supplier, distributor, and a wholesaler. Each one has its unique role and responsibility in the distribution network. You can order your FMCG products in bulk from the best FMCG distributor. Choose an agency that has been operating for a long time and is known for delivering fresh and quality products. 

Treasure Orbit is one of the leading FMCG distributors in the world. Their powerful presence in India, Dubai, Hong Kong, and other locations enables them to handle your local and global tasks efficiently. We have strong logistics network enables them to handle each stage from manufacturing, warehousing and order processing to retail storage. Having strong partnerships with leading FMCG companies helps the agency streamline our distribution and order products in bulk quantities from them. We sell FMCG products such as confectionery, snacks, beverages, tea & coffee, milk powder & nutritional drinks, personal care, healthcare, dry goods, and more. Major brands like Mars, Cadbury, Hershey, Pringles, and hundreds more. Get in touch with the FMCG distributor company now!