Wholesale trade in Germany - statistics & facts
Is the German wholesale sector, as well as the wholesale sector in general around the world, experiencing a shift? Wholesale trade means selling goods in very large quantities to businesses, such as retailers, who then proceed to sell to the consumer public. In 2023, German wholesale prices decreased by around 0.5 percent compared to the year before, after an increase of almost 19 percent in 2022. Wholesale has seen its fair share of challenges after various international upheavals in recent years. Leading wholesaler companies in Germany include BayWa, the Würth Group and McKesson Europe AG.
These companies started out focusing on one retail segment, but have expanded with time. BayWa sells building and construction materials, as well as focusing on agriculture (crop production and plant cultivation, animal husbandry, machinery, gardening) and energy (fuel oil, diesel, wood pellets, lubricants, fuel cards and new mobility). The Würth Group's core business revolves around selling to craft and industrial establishments, from parts to instruments. Finally, Brenntag deals with logistics and services in the pharmaceutical and health sector.
The number of German wholesale companies has been decreasing during the 2000s. In 2022, there were 131,679 wholesale companies in Germany, compared to 187,174 in 2002. There could be several reasons for this. If a wholesaler is seen as a type of middleman in the retail industry, bypassing this middleman and purchasing goods directly from a supplier appeals to businesses as it enables them to cut costs. Access to the supplier has been made easier thanks to the internet and the advancement of mobile technology. Additionally, online shopping across various product categories, negates the need for brick-and-mortar store visits and the stores as such. In short, e-commerce poses new challenges for the future of wholesale. Like many other sectors, wholesale will have to adapt to the rapidly advancing digital age to continue supporting the complex links with retail and other sectors.
These companies started out focusing on one retail segment, but have expanded with time. BayWa sells building and construction materials, as well as focusing on agriculture (crop production and plant cultivation, animal husbandry, machinery, gardening) and energy (fuel oil, diesel, wood pellets, lubricants, fuel cards and new mobility). The Würth Group's core business revolves around selling to craft and industrial establishments, from parts to instruments. Finally, Brenntag deals with logistics and services in the pharmaceutical and health sector.
The number of German wholesale companies has been decreasing during the 2000s. In 2022, there were 131,679 wholesale companies in Germany, compared to 187,174 in 2002. There could be several reasons for this. If a wholesaler is seen as a type of middleman in the retail industry, bypassing this middleman and purchasing goods directly from a supplier appeals to businesses as it enables them to cut costs. Access to the supplier has been made easier thanks to the internet and the advancement of mobile technology. Additionally, online shopping across various product categories, negates the need for brick-and-mortar store visits and the stores as such. In short, e-commerce poses new challenges for the future of wholesale. Like many other sectors, wholesale will have to adapt to the rapidly advancing digital age to continue supporting the complex links with retail and other sectors.
