Support Europe’s Wholesalers

Appreciate the wholesalers in our lives.

Factsheet Quiz Stories

What is wholesale?

Driving Europe’s economy every day, everywhere.

Wholesale connects the dots between production and the economy. From providing raw materials to industries to delivering finished goods to retailers and service providers, wholesalers form the backbone of Europe’s supply chain. 

With 1.6 million enterprises, wholesale generates €818 billion in value-added and employs over 9.8 million people across the EU​​.

6.5
trillion EUR
turnover annually
99%
of wholesalers 
are SMEs
Every
sector from
medicine to agriculture

Wholesale in your daily life

Wholesalers shape your world. From ensuring timely medicine deliveries to pharmacies to providing sustainable solutions for construction projects, their behind-the-scenes efforts touch every facet of daily life.

Healthcare
15 billion medicine packs delivered annually.
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Construction
Supplying the backbone of Europe’s infrastructure.
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Hospitality
Ensuring restaurants never run out of essential supplies​​.
Read more
Chemicals
The hidden ingredient in everything.
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Healthcare
15 billion medicine packs delivered annually.
Every second, pharmaceutical wholesalers ensure that life-saving medicines reach pharmacies. They don’t just stock shelves — they manage emergency supplies, prevent shortages, and even handle recalls seamlessly. Think of them as the invisible lifeline of healthcare.
Construction
Supplying the backbone of Europe’s infrastructure.
Whether it's bricks for homes or steel for skyscrapers, building material wholesalers don’t just supply — they innovate! With 60,000+ product options, they help architects and builders find smarter, more sustainable solutions to create the cities of tomorrow.
Hospitality
Ensuring restaurants never run out of essential supplies​​.
Behind every stocked restaurant kitchen is a network of food wholesalers making sure chefs have fresh produce, quality meats, and even that specialty truffle oil. They make last-minute deliveries a reality — so your favorite dish is always on the menu.
Flowers
From field to florist in 24 hours.
Those fresh-cut roses? They might have been in Kenya yesterday! Flower wholesalers ensure global supply chains run like clockwork, bringing vibrant blooms from farms to florists overnight. Beauty delivered on time.
Beverages
Keeping the drinks flowing.
From craft beers to fine wines, beverage wholesalers are the reason bars, restaurants, and retailers never run dry. They navigate supply chains, manage seasonal demands, and ensure your favorite drink is always chilled and ready.
Electrical
Powering homes and industries.
Electrical wholesalers provide the cables, switches, and circuit breakers that keep factories running and homes lit. Without them, everything from office Wi-Fi to industrial automation would grind to a halt.
Chemicals
The hidden ingredient in everything.
From the paint on your walls to the medicine in your cabinet, chemical wholesalers ensure industries get the right compounds safely and on time. They bridge the gap between production and innovation.

Appreciate the invisible giant in your life

From local family-owned businesses to large distribution networks, your wholesalers ensure uninterrupted services for businesses and citizens alike.

Before you go: how much do you know about wholesale?

Test your knowledge of Europe’s wholesalers with our quick quiz. Discover curious facts and learn something new about our industry:

What percentage of EU wholesalers are small and medium enterprises (SMEs)?

How many people are employed by the wholesale sector across Europe?

Which of the following services are typically provided by wholesalers?

Take a deep dive into European wholesale

Want to learn more? Explore the wholesale factsheet to discover unique insights about the wholesale sector, its contributions, and its future. 

Explore the factsheet