Definition
A wholesaler is a merchant establishment operated by a concern that is primarily engaged in wholesale – buying, taking title to, usually storing and physically handling goods in large quantities, and reselling the goods (usually in smaller quantities) to retailers or to industrial or business users.
Wholesaling refers to all transactions in which the purchaser is actuated by a profit or business motive in making the purchase, except for transactions that involve a small quantity of goods purchased from a retail establishment for business use, which is considered a retail purchase.
A general-line wholesaler is one who carries a complete stock of one type of merchandise, corresponding roughly to a substantial majority of the total merchandise requirements of customers in a major line of trade or industry classification.
A general merchandise wholesaler carries a variety of goods for retailers in several distinct and unrelated merchandise lines.
References
- American Marketing Association, AMA Dictionary.