Grow your ecommerce store · Shopify · 2 min read
Best Wholesale Apps for Shopify Store Owners
Short answer
Start with Shopify's native B2B features, which Shopify has extended to all plans with the fullest set on Shopify Plus. Add wholesale apps such as Wholesale Pricing Discount, SparkLayer, Wholesale Gorilla or Bold-style pricing tools if you need extra features, and consider Faire or other wholesale marketplaces to reach retailers.
Selling wholesale to retailers can add steady, high-volume revenue. Shopify's options have changed a lot: features that once needed Shopify Plus or third-party apps are now built in for more merchants.
Native Shopify B2B
Shopify's B2B features include:
- Company profiles with locations and buyers.
- Price lists and catalogs per company.
- Volume pricing and quantity rules.
- Payment terms such as net 30.
- B2B checkout and draft orders.
Shopify has made core B2B available on all plans, with the most advanced features on Plus. Check the plan feature table in Shopify's help center for exact differences.
Wholesale apps
Apps add features native B2B may not cover, such as wholesale registration forms, tiered discounts, minimum order rules, quick order forms and separate wholesale storefronts. Commonly used options include:
- Wholesale Pricing Discount B2B (customer-tag-based pricing and forms).
- SparkLayer (B2B ordering features and quick order lists).
- Wholesale Gorilla (tag-based wholesale pricing).
- Wholesale Club and other pricing apps.
Browse Shopify's wholesale app category and read recent reviews.
Wholesale marketplaces
- Faire: connects brands with independent retailers, handles payments and terms.
- Shopify's Wholesale channel has been retired in favour of native B2B features.
- Trade shows and direct outreach remain important for many brands.
Setting up wholesale pricing
| Consideration | Tip |
|---|---|
| Wholesale price | Often around half of retail, but depends on your margins |
| Minimums | Set order or case minimums |
| Payment terms | Start with upfront payment until trust builds |
| Approval | Vet retailers before giving pricing |
| MAP policy | Decide whether to set minimum advertised prices |
Preparing your store for wholesale buyers
Before inviting retailers, get the basics ready:
- Line sheet: a PDF or page with product photos, SKUs, wholesale prices, case packs, minimums and suggested retail prices.
- Terms: payment terms, shipping costs, lead times, return and damage policies.
- Application form: business name, tax or resale certificate details, store type and location.
- Approval process: who checks applications and how quickly you respond.
- Product data: barcodes and accurate weights, which many retailers require.
Wholesale versus retail customers
| Retail customer | Wholesale buyer | |
|---|---|---|
| Order size | Single units | Cases or minimum spend |
| Price | Retail | Discounted wholesale |
| Payment | At checkout | Often terms (net 30, net 60) after trust builds |
| Communication | Marketing emails | Account updates, restock notices, line sheets |
| Expectations | Fast delivery | Reliable lead times, accurate invoicing |
Keep wholesale buyers out of retail promotions and send them their own updates, such as new product availability and seasonal ordering deadlines.
Protecting retail pricing
If you sell both directly and through retailers, decide how to avoid undercutting your stockists. Options include consistent retail pricing across channels, a minimum advertised price (MAP) policy, and limiting deep discounts on your own site. Retailers are more willing to carry brands that do not compete with them aggressively.
Measuring the wholesale channel
Track reorder rate by retailer, average order size, payment timeliness and margin after shipping. A handful of retailers who reorder every season are usually worth more than many one-off accounts.
Choosing your setup
- Few wholesale accounts: native B2B or draft orders.
- Many small retailers: native B2B plus a registration and approval process, or Faire.
- Complex needs: Shopify Plus or specialised apps.
Related: top USA wholesale suppliers, dropshipping vs wholesale and Shopify Plus benefits.
Frequently asked questions
Can I sell wholesale on a regular Shopify plan?
Yes. Shopify has rolled out core B2B features such as company accounts, price lists and payment terms beyond Plus. Some advanced options remain Plus-only, so check Shopify's plan feature table.
Should wholesale be on a separate store?
Not necessarily. Native B2B lets one store show different prices and terms to approved business customers. Some brands still prefer a separate store for simplicity.
What is Faire?
A wholesale marketplace where independent retailers buy from brands, with features like net payment terms for retailers.
Sources and further reading
Platform features, prices and policies change. Check the official help pages linked above before you act on a detail that matters to your store.