More than 90 percent of the wholesale industry consists of merchant wholesalers. They buy goods from manufacturers in large quantities then sell them to retailers, manufacturers, other wholesalers or other customers. The rest of the industry is comprised of sales branch offices, where manufacturing operations market their companies' products and coordinate their distribution, and wholesale brokers or agents, who coordinate sales from manufacturers to retailers.
Retailers promote and sell manufactured goods and services.
Working conditions Working conditions and physical demands of wholesale trade jobs tend to be strenuous and require operation of heavy machinery. Long shifts are typical and unusual hours are common among wholesale workers who must accept or make early deliveries. Working conditions in retail are generally more comfortable because employees work in environments designed for customer appeal. For those who provide services, working conditions vary. Often, the high salaries commanded by specialized personnel are balanced by considerable travel and long hours.