B2B wholesale fulfillment costs significantly more than B2C due to larger order sizes and complexity. Storage fees range from $0.65-$1.20 per cubic foot/month, with pallet handling charges of $20-$45 per pallet. Pick and pack fees vary from $8-$25 per order depending on line items and case quantities. LTL shipping coordination adds $50-$150 per shipment. Many 3PLs require minimum monthly fees of $3,000-$7,500 for wholesale accounts. Additional costs include EDI setup ($1,000-$3,500), compliance labeling ($0.75-$2.50 per unit), and special handling for promotional displays ($5-$20 per unit). Fulfill.com helps you find wholesale-specialized 3PLs with competitive bulk pricing structures.
Major B2B wholesale distribution hubs include Chicago (central location, rail access), Atlanta (Southeast distribution), Dallas/Fort Worth (Southwest gateway), and Ontario CA (West Coast imports). These locations offer proximity to major wholesale buyers, excellent transportation infrastructure, and competitive warehouse costs. Other key hubs include Columbus OH (reaches 50% of US population overnight), Memphis (FedEx hub), and Bethlehem PA (Northeast corridor). The best location depends on your buyer concentration, with many wholesale brands using 2-3 strategic locations to minimize freight costs and meet delivery requirements to distributors, retailers, and dealers nationwide.
B2B wholesale 3PLs require capabilities far beyond standard fulfillment including pallet building to customer specifications, floor loading of trucks, and mixed pallet capabilities. Essential features include case quantity handling, inner pack fulfillment, promotional display assembly, and cross-docking services. They must manage complex pricing structures, deal with multi-location deliveries, and handle partial shipments efficiently. Advanced wholesale 3PLs offer vendor-managed inventory (VMI) programs, consignment inventory management, and just-in-time delivery capabilities. They should also provide detailed reporting for sales analysis, inventory turns, and customer performance metrics critical for B2B relationships.
Professional wholesale 3PLs excel at managing complex buyer requirements including minimum order quantities, case pack configurations, and seasonal inventory planning. They implement sophisticated allocation systems that reserve inventory for key accounts while optimizing overall fulfillment efficiency. Many offer inventory financing solutions and drop-ship capabilities for items not stocked. Advanced features include automated reorder triggers based on buyer consumption patterns, seasonal inventory adjustments, and promotional inventory management. They coordinate with buyers' purchasing departments to ensure optimal stock levels while minimizing carrying costs through data-driven demand forecasting and flexible inventory management programs.
B2B wholesale shipments typically use LTL (Less Than Truckload) carriers like Old Dominion, XPO, Estes, and YRC for multi-stop deliveries. Full truckload (FTL) services handle large single-destination orders with specialized carriers. Transit times range from 1-7 days depending on distance and service level, with most wholesale shipments taking 2-5 days. Many 3PLs offer pool distribution services, consolidating multiple wholesale orders for cost savings. They coordinate delivery appointments, provide tracking visibility, and handle special requirements like liftgate service, inside delivery, or residential deliveries. Regional parcel carriers and last-mile providers handle smaller wholesale orders and expedited shipments.
