The wholesale market in India has long operated through offline channels—phone calls, bulk catalogs, and in-person orders. But with rapid digital adoption across industries, the wholesale sector is now facing a shift. More B2B buyers prefer placing orders online, browsing product catalogs digitally, and comparing prices before making large purchases.
If you’re a wholesaler in India looking to take your business online, the opportunity is enormous—but only if you take the right steps. This guide outlines everything you need to know about starting your wholesale business online and introduces a powerful platform—Rietail—built specifically to help Indian wholesalers succeed in digital commerce.
Why Indian Wholesalers Should Move Online
Digital transformation in India is accelerating. Platforms like Udaan, Flipkart Wholesale, and industry-specific eCommerce tools are reshaping how B2B selling is done. Here’s why wholesalers should seriously consider going online:
- Wider Reach: Selling online removes geographical limitations and helps you serve clients across states and regions.
- Operational Efficiency: Automating order management and inventory tracking saves time and reduces human errors.
- Customer Expectations: Today’s buyers expect the same ease of ordering online in B2B as they do in B2C.
- Faster Payments: Integrated payment gateways and invoicing help streamline cash flow.
Step-by-Step Guide to Taking Your Wholesale Business Online
1. Identify Your Selling Model
First, define how you want to operate online:
- Will you offer direct orders or enquiry-based selling?
- Do you prefer booking-first, pay-later workflows?
- Do you plan to manage inventory actively or offer made-to-order products?
Understanding this helps you choose the right tools and platform that align with your existing business model.
2. Digitize Your Product Listings
Your catalog is your storefront. Every product should be:
- Clearly described (name, features, units per pack, etc.)
- Supported with high-quality images
- Tagged with variations like size, color, or style
- Grouped into categories for better browsing
Rietail allows wholesalers to upload products in various formats—customizable sets, fixed packs, or assorted combinations—so your online store mirrors your real-world inventory perfectly.
3. Choose a B2B eCommerce Platform
This is the most critical step. Many platforms in the market are built for B2C sellers and lack key features for wholesale needs.
Rietail is a B2B-first platform developed specifically for Indian wholesalers and distributors. It offers:
- Multiple order types (enquiry, booking, direct)
- Custom pricing per customer or tier
- Bulk inventory management
- Downloadable PDF or video catalogs
- ERP and CRM integration
- Smart loyalty and reward system
With Rietail, you get a system that’s aligned with how your wholesale business already works—no heavy customization required.
4. Set Up Customer-Specific Pricing
In wholesale, different customers get different rates. Your online system should reflect that.
Rietail makes this easy with pricing models like:
- Customer-specific pricing
- Tiered pricing based on quantity
- Wholesale vs. retail pricing
- Contract or subscription-based pricing
This ensures that your high-value customers continue to get special rates, even when ordering online.
5. Define Your Order and Inventory Logic
Wholesalers operate with unique inventory rules. You may want to:
- Allow backorders even when stock is zero
- Track stock in real time
- Sell without any stock tracking for made-to-order goods
With Rietail, you can define your inventory model per product type, giving you complete flexibility. Whether you want to stop sales when stock ends or keep accepting orders, the system adapts to you.
6. Offer a Downloadable Catalog
Many B2B buyers still prefer reviewing product catalogs offline. With Rietail, you can create:
- Product-level PDFs: For individual SKUs
- Collection-level PDFs: Grouped by categories or deals
- Video catalogs: For a more interactive experience
These formats are instantly downloadable and can be shared with teams, decision-makers, or buying committees.
7. Market Your Online Store
Once your online wholesale store is ready, let your clients know:
- Share your store link on WhatsApp, LinkedIn, or via SMS campaigns
- Send newsletters or digital catalogs to your regular buyers
- Offer loyalty points or bulk discounts to encourage online orders
Rietail includes features to support loyalty systems and integration with communication platforms to help you stay connected with your buyers.
Why Rietail is the Right Choice for Indian Wholesalers
Unlike generic platforms that require heavy adaptation, Rietail is built from the ground up for B2B businesses like yours. It understands the Indian market and provides everything a wholesaler needs, including:
- Multi-product formats (sets, packs, assortments)
- Order workflows tailored to B2B flows
- Local support and customization options
- Integration with ERP, CRM, and analytics tools
Whether you’re just getting started or scaling a well-established operation, Rietail brings digital transformation without the hassle.
FAQs
Q. Can I sell both to retailers and direct customers through the same platform?
A. Yes. Rietail allows you to set different pricing, workflows, and experiences for wholesale and retail buyers on the same system.
Q. Do I need technical skills to set up my store on Rietail?
A. No. Rietail is built to be user-friendly, with guided onboarding and support. You can set up your digital store without any coding.
Q. What if I already use a CRM or ERP?
A. Rietail integrates easily with most CRM and ERP systems, so your operations stay seamless and connected.
Q. Can my buyers download catalogs directly?
A. Absolutely. You can offer downloadable product or category-level catalogs in PDF or video format.
Q. Is Rietail suitable for small wholesalers too?
A. Yes. Rietail is scalable and works just as well for small, medium, and enterprise-level wholesalers.
Taking your wholesale business online in India is not just a smart move—it’s a necessary one. The future of B2B selling is digital, and platforms like Rietail make the transition smooth and strategic. From handling bulk orders and customer-specific pricing to catalog sharing and integration, Rietail offers everything Indian wholesalers need to sell smarter and grow faster.
Start your online journey today with a platform that understands how you work—start with Rietail.