If you’ve ever wondered how products go from factories to store shelves, you’re thinking about the supply chain—and the key players in it are manufacturers, wholesalers, and retailers. Each plays a different role, like links in a chain, moving goods from creation to customer. Let’s break it down with simple examples.

1. Manufacturer

A manufacturer is the creator of the product. They take raw materials and turn them into finished goods. For example, a company that turns cotton into T-shirts is a manufacturer. They usually produce in bulk and don’t sell directly to the final customer.

2. Wholesaler

Wholesalers buy products in large quantities from manufacturers and sell them in bulk to retailers. Think of them as middlemen. They don’t change the product; they just distribute it. For instance, a wholesaler might buy 10,000 T-shirts from the manufacturer and sell them in batches of 500 to different clothing stores.

3. Retailer

Retailers are the final link—they sell products directly to consumers. Whether it’s a local shop, a supermarket, or an online store, retailers offer individual items for people to buy. So, when you walk into a store and buy one T-shirt, you’re buying from a retailer.

Key Differences

• Manufacturers make the products.
• Wholesalers buy in bulk from manufacturers and sell to retailers.
• Retailers sell directly to customers.

In real life, some businesses combine these roles. For example, some brands manufacture and sell directly online, skipping the wholesaler. But understanding these basic roles helps you see how goods move from factories to your hands.