Wholesale trading
Topic: Tertiary, Quaternary and Quinary Activities · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 6 "Tertiary and Quaternary Activities"
Meaning
Wholesale trading is trade in bulk, meaning large amounts. It is done through middlemen, who are traders standing between the makers and the shops, and through supply houses, not through retail stores. Most retailers buy their stock from wholesalers. Wholesalers often give so much credit (time to pay later) that many retailers run largely on the wholesaler's money. Some big chain stores skip the wholesaler and buy straight from manufacturers.
Example
Sadar Bazaar in Old Delhi is a large wholesale market. Shopkeepers from Delhi and nearby states buy toys, stationery and household goods there in bulk, often on credit, and then resell them in their own shops.
Don't confuse with
- Retail trading: retailers sell small amounts directly to consumers. Wholesalers sell large amounts, mostly to retailers.