Buying and selling goods in bulk between businesses (B2B) is a multi-trillion dollar industry. Online B2B wholesale marketplaces are where much of this global trade is now conducted, connecting suppliers and commercial buyers more efficiently than ever before.
For eCommerce sellers, these digital platforms provide access to products you can resell and scale your product catalog exponentially. B2B marketplaces also give suppliers expanded reach to sell large quantities with attractive margins.
This definitive guide covers 15 major B2B wholesale marketplaces worth exploring and the key factors that set them apart.
What to Look for in a B2B Marketplace
With hundreds of B2B ecommerce marketplaces out there, it’s important to assess which ones best meet your selling and sourcing needs. Some key criteria to evaluate:
- Breadth of suppliers and buyers – More is usually better on both sides
- Diversity of product selection – Variety across different categories
- Global reach – Number of countries covered for sourcing and selling
- Seller tools and capabilities – For managing orders, Inventory, shipping, etc.
- Buyer protection and verification – Ensures legitimate trading partners
- Commissions and fees – Lower is better to maximize profit margins
- Digital features – Catalog management, analytics, EDI integration, etc.
Keep this checklist handy as we review the top 15 B2B wholesale marketplaces for eCommerce businesses.
1. Alibaba
As one of the world’s largest B2B ecommerce companies, Alibaba connects importers and exporters across more than 200 countries. With 40+ million active buyers on Alibaba.com alone, it’s become a top B2B marketplace for sourcing products at wholesale prices to resell online.
Some benefits for eCommerce sellers include:
- Huge selection of manufactured goods ready for custom branding/private labeling
- Hundreds of product categories including electronics, clothing, toys, furniture, etc.
- Trade Assurance program protects buyers if orders don’t arrive
- Pay later options like PayPal, credit card payments, wire transfers
- Seller Center dashboard to manage orders, communicate with buyers, get analytics
However, navigating Alibaba effectively requires understanding that there are good and bad suppliers. Taking time to vet manufacturing partners is key before placing sizable orders.
2. GlobalSources
Established in 2000, GlobalSources specializes in connecting western businesses with verified Asian suppliers, particularly Chinese manufacturers. With 10 million registered buyers across 240 countries, it’s proven to be a reliable B2B sourcing marketplace.
Benefits include:
- Strict supplier selection process ensures product quality
- Trade shows let buyers and sellers meet face-to-face
- Quoting system makes negotiations easier
- Product videos help assess manufacturing capabilities
- Mobile apps help buyers chat, get quotes, and manage orders
GlobalSources also offers online sourcing tools and databases that identify thousands of audited suppliers. This can streamline finding the right trading partners for your needs.
3. Thomasnet
Thomasnet connects industrial buyers and sellers in the manufacturing space. It has over 700,000 suppliers in its marketplace across more than 500 product and service categories.
This makes Thomasnet ideal for ecommerce players needing to source specialized products like:
- Commercial equipment
- Building materials
- Industrial supplies
- Heavy machinery
- Commercial furniture
Thomasnet also provides buyers withSupplier Discovery Experiences. These are immersive virtual sessions that let you evaluate and engage with new suppliers you discover on their platform.
4. Faire
Faire is a U.S. based wholesale marketplace focused on the retail industry. It connects over 100,000 emerging brands and makers to more than 200,000 independent retailers around the world. Sourcing unique, locally made goods to sell in gift shops, boutiques and other small retail outlets is where Faire shines.
Benefits for ecommerce resellers include:
- No membership, monthly or listing fees to sell
- Good profit margins with minimum order quantities as low as 6 units
- Access niche products not readily available elsewhere
- Sellers can enroll in 60 days payment terms
- Order management system helps with inventory tracking and order routing
Faire also eliminates extra charges to sellers for returns, payment processing and shipping labels. This helps maximize profitability on B2B orders.
5. Tundra
Tundra is an up and coming digital B2B marketplace launched in 2019 that connects suppliers to a community of 30,000+ business buyers globally.
It’s designed specifically to support ecommerce resellers with features like:
- Seamless order uploading and processing
- Product promotion tools to boost visibility
- B2B focused analytics
- Built-in support for business pricing
- EDI integration for managing inventory
Tundra also blocks Amazon resellers entirely to help suppliers avoid channel conflicts. Commission fees are lower than traditional B2B marketplaces, allowing sellers to retain more margin per order.
As a modern platform built for ecommerce, Tundra is worth checking out.
6. Handshake
Handshake is an order and inventory management platform for CPG brands selling to U.S. retailers. It overlays a B2B marketplace where small and midsize grocery, convenience, drug stores and other merchants can find your products for resale.
Special features like:
- Integrated EDI ordering
- Inventory tracking across retail channels
- Sales analytics and reporting
Make Handshake tailored for consumer packaged goods (CPG) looking to get products onto more store shelves, both digitally and physically. It’s currently being used by emerging brands like Beyond Meat, Poppi Prebiotic Soda, Olipop and RIND to accelerate their retail distribution.
7. Ankorstore
Based originally in France, Ankorstore has expanded across Europe and now operates in 25 countries. This curated B2B marketplace focuses on connecting trendy and independent brands to fashion boutiques, concept stores and other specialty retailers looking for unique products.
Benefits for sellers include:
- Access 300,000+ qualified European retailers
- Good profit margins with competitive commission structure
- Payment 15 days after customer receipt of order
- Free returns offered to retailer buyers
If positioning your ecommerce brand as cutting edge and wanting exposure to European boutiques, Ankorstore delivers this niche audience.
8. Foba
Foba is a leading B2B product sourcing marketplace in India. With 700,000+ registered buyers and over 2 million product listings, Foba connects businesses across Asia more effectively. Suppliers also benefit from promotion programs that increase lead generation.
Some unique aspects of Foba for eCommerce sellers are:
- Source products domestically without importing
- Listing packages to increase marketplace exposure
- Sales reps provide support to sellers
- Buyer verification helps avoid fraud
For dropshipping products or developing private label brands, having a local supplier base can be an advantage. Foba provides this B2B access specifically focused across India.
9. eWorldTrade
eWorldTrade stands out as one of the only global B2B wholesale marketplaces centered around sustainability. It heavily screens suppliers based on sustainable business practices and environmental impact.
Categories with thousands of sustainable products include:
- Eco-friendly electronics
- Organic food & beverage
- Natural beauty & wellness
- Fair trade handicrafts
- Green construction materials
For ecommerce businesses committed to sustainability, or want to appeal to eco-conscious buyer values, eWorldTrade uniquely provides verified access to these ethical suppliers.
10. Joyyao
Joyyao is the largest B2B ecommerce site in China. It hosts 3 million suppliers across 400+ product categories. For western brands that want to sell in volume directly to Chinese wholesalers and distributors, Joyyao provides direct market access.
Benefits include:
- Reaching previously hard to access Chinese commercial buyers
- Trade manager support
- Pro sourcing services to find suppliers
- Automated order processing
Joyyao also handles translation, customs processes, logistics coordination and local promotion of products in China. This removes major complexities for international sellers trying to enter this lucrative market.
11. Dhgate
DHGate made its name in Asia as a pioneer of dropshipping model. Now it serves over 30 million buyers across more than 220 countries as a leading global B2B ecommerce marketplace.
Some unique benefits for ecommerce sellers are:
- Established dropshipping relationships with suppliers
- Support for sourcing custom manufactured products
- Product listing amplifiers to boost search visibility
- Third party escrow payment system
DHGate also has an entire App Store with extended capabilities like inventory feeds, order tracking, shipping label printing and EDI order integration. The open API allows suitable customization based on seller needs.
12. Made-In-China (MIC)
Made-In-China, also known as MIC, hosts over 60 million product listings from quality Chinese exporters and manufacturers. For sourcing reliable Asian suppliers on products to private label or resell, MIC holds its own as an established B2B marketplace.
Some helpful features include:
- Product videos to evaluate manufacturing capabilities
- RFQ Builder for custom quote generation
- Premier membership perks like product showcase privileges
- Company direct feature confirms legal business status
MIC also offers escrow payments and inspection services to ensure your wholesale orders match quality expectations. So buyers have assurance when importing foreign goods in bulk quantity.
13. Kinnek
Kinnek differentiates itself from general B2B marketplaces by specializing in connecting small businesses to other SMBs across numerous industries. Think of it like a modern B2B supplier Rolodex tailored to the needs of independent restaurants, retailers, services providers and artisans.
Key features geared for ecommerce buyers include:
- Leads Dashboard delivers new supplier recommendations
- RFQ Builder to easily send custom Requests for Quotes
- Recent suppliers list to reorder from
Kinnek also offers iOS and Android apps so buyers can manage sourcing and communicate with suppliers on-the-go. And it’s free to message any seller to negotiate better deals.
14. ApacSources
ApacSources provides the largest B2B product directory centered specifically across the Asia Pacific (APAC) region. This positions ApacSources as the top sourcing marketplace for businesses in southeast Asia, Australia and New Zealand.
Key capabilities like:
- Source from 16,000+ suppliers across APAC
- Find manufacturers able to produce white label products
- Get quotes from multiple sellers
- Buyers guide for navigating ecommerce in Asia
With regional hubs in China, Australia, India, Korea and the Philippines, ApacSources has both localized buyer support and sourcing experts that provide guidance to exporters/importers in the Asia Pacific area.
15. iGloo
Whereas most B2B marketplaces connect independent suppliers to buyers, iGloo takes a different approach. It partners directly with familiar major brands across grocery, housewares, beauty, pharmacy, electronics and clothing to provide wholesale direct access for small business buyers.
Benefits include:
- Single portal to purchase directly from leading brands
- Select discounted business pricing
- High-touch support and account management
- Curated collections of best-selling items
So if your ecommerce business sells mainly popular branded merchandise, iGloo makes stocking inventory at wholesale cost simple through these exclusive brand partnerships.
Choosing the Right B2B Ecommerce Marketplace
While evaluating a few top options is advisable, sellers should optimize their presence on one or two B2B platforms that best align to your target buyer profile and product mix rather than spread efforts thinly across many channels.
Marketplace analytics will show where you’re getting the most B2B lead engagement and order volume to double down on what works best. As demand grows through a particular channel, expanding reach across additional complementary sites becomes easier. So take it step-by-step.
Many of these B2B sourcing platforms also provide extensive seller support, so don’t hesitate to lean on their in-house experts to maximize your marketplace performance.
