Bulk vs. Wholesale — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Updated on May 17, 2024
Bulk refers to large quantities of a single item, often without packaging, whereas wholesale involves selling goods in large quantities to retailers at a discounted price for resale.
Difference Between Bulk and Wholesale
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Bulk involves purchasing large quantities of a single item, often aimed at reducing the cost per unit. This can include items sold without packaging or in very large packages. Wholesale, on the other hand, refers to the sale of goods in large quantities, typically to retailers or other businesses who then resell the items to consumers.
Bulk purchases are often made by consumers or businesses looking to stock up on specific items, especially those used frequently. Wholesale purchases are generally made by retailers or businesses that need to maintain inventory for resale.
In bulk buying, the focus is typically on acquiring a large amount of one specific product to minimize costs and reduce the frequency of purchases. In wholesale transactions, the focus is on acquiring a variety of products at a lower price to support a retail business.
Comparison Chart
Definition
Large quantities of a single item
Large quantities sold to retailers
Buyers
Consumers or businesses
Retailers or other businesses
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Product Variety
Usually one specific item
Wide range of products
Packaging
Often minimal or none
Standard retail packaging
Purpose
Personal use or consumption
Resale at retail prices
Compare with Definitions
Bulk
Items sold without packaging.
The bulk nuts were cheaper than the packaged ones.
Wholesale
Sale of goods in large quantities.
They purchased the products wholesale for their store.
Bulk
Excessive size or volume.
The bulk of the shipment was delivered today.
Wholesale
Selling to retailers.
The company specializes in wholesale electronics.
Bulk
Size, mass, or volume, especially when very large.
Wholesale
Distribution to various buyers.
The wholesale distributor supplies many small shops.
Bulk
A distinct mass or portion of matter, especially a large one
The dark bulk of buildings against the sky.
Wholesale
The sale of goods in large quantities, as for resale by a retailer.
Bulk
The body of a human, especially when large or muscular.
Wholesale
Of, relating to, or engaged in the sale of goods in large quantities for resale
A wholesale produce market.
Wholesale goods.
Wholesale prices.
Bulk
The major portion or greater part
"The great bulk of necessary work can never be anything but painful" (Bertrand Russell).
Wholesale
Made or accomplished extensively and indiscriminately; blanket
Wholesale destruction.
Bulk
See fiber.
Wholesale
In large bulk or quantity.
Bulk
Thickness of paper or cardboard in relation to weight.
Wholesale
Extensively; indiscriminately.
Bulk
A ship's cargo.
Wholesale
To sell in large quantities for resale.
Bulk
To be or appear to be massive in terms of size, volume, or importance; loom
Safety considerations bulked large during development of the new spacecraft.
Wholesale
To engage in wholesale selling.
Bulk
To grow or increase in size or importance.
Wholesale
To be sold wholesale.
Bulk
To cohere or form a mass
Certain paper bulks well.
Wholesale
(business) The sale of products, often in large quantities, to retailers or other merchants.
Bulk
To cause to swell or expand.
Wholesale
Of or relating to sale in large quantities, for resale.
Bulk
To cause to cohere or form a mass.
Wholesale
(figurative) Extensive, indiscriminate, all-encompassing; blanket.
The bombing resulted in wholesale destruction.
Bulk
Being large in mass, quantity, or volume
A bulk buy.
A bulk mailing.
Wholesale
In bulk or large quantity.
Bulk
Size, specifically, volume.
Wholesale
(figurative) Indiscriminately.
Bulk
Any huge body or structure.
Wholesale
To sell at wholesale.
Bulk
The major part of something.
The bulk of my income comes from my office job, but I also teach a couple of evening classes.
I understood the bulk of what you were saying, just one of two points I need to hear again.
Wholesale
Sale of goods by the piece or large quantity, as distinguished from retail.
Some, from vanity or envy, despise a valuable book, and throw contempt upon it by wholesale.
Bulk
Dietary fibre.
Wholesale
Pertaining to, or engaged in, trade by the piece or large quantity; selling to retailers or jobbers rather than to consumers; as, a wholesale merchant; the wholesale price.
Bulk
Unpackaged goods when transported in large volumes, e.g. coal, ore or grain.
Wholesale
Extensive and indiscriminate; as, wholesale slaughter.
Bulk
(countable) a cargo or any items moved or communicated in the manner of cargo.
Wholesale
The selling of goods to merchants; usually in large quantities for resale to consumers
Bulk
(bodybuilding) Excess body mass, especially muscle.
Wholesale
Sell in large quantities
Bulk
(bodybuilding) A period where one tries to gain muscle.
Wholesale
Selling or related to selling goods in large quantities for resale to the consumer;
Wholesale prices
A wholesale produce market
Bulk
(brane cosmology) A hypothetical higher-dimensional space within which our own four-dimensional universe may exist.
Wholesale
Ignoring distinctions;
Sweeping generalizations
Wholesale destruction
Bulk
(obsolete) The body.
Wholesale
At a wholesale price;
I can sell it to you wholesale
Bulk
Being large in size, mass or volume (of goods, etc.)
Wholesale
On a large scale without careful discrimination;
I buy food wholesale
Bulk
Total
Wholesale
Lower price per unit.
Buying wholesale reduces the cost significantly.
Bulk
(intransitive) To appear or seem to be, as to bulk or extent.
Wholesale
Business model involving bulk sales.
The wholesale market is growing rapidly.
Bulk
(intransitive) To grow in size; to swell or expand.
Bulk
(intransitive) To gain body mass by means of diet, exercise, etc.
Bulk
(transitive) To put or hold in bulk.
Bulk
To add bulk to, to bulk out.
Bulk
Magnitude of material substance; dimensions; mass; size; as, an ox or ship of great bulk.
Against these forces there were prepared near one hundred ships; not so great of bulk indeed, but of a more nimble motion, and more serviceable.
Bulk
The main mass or body; the largest or principal portion; the majority; as, the bulk of a debt.
The bulk of the people must labor, Burke told them, "to obtain what by labor can be obtained."
Bulk
The cargo of a vessel when stowed.
Bulk
The body.
My liver leaped within my bulk.
Bulk
A projecting part of a building.
Here, stand behind this bulk.
Bulk
To appear or seem to be, as to bulk or extent; to swell.
The fame of Warburton possibly bulked larger for the moment.
Bulk
The property resulting from being or relating to the greater in number of two parts; the main part;
The majority of his customers prefer it
The bulk of the work is finished
Bulk
The property of something that is great in magnitude;
It is cheaper to buy it in bulk
He received a mass of correspondence
The volume of exports
Bulk
The property possessed by a large mass
Bulk
Stick out or up;
The parcel bulked in the sack
Bulk
Cause to bulge or swell outwards
Bulk
Large quantity of goods.
She bought rice in bulk to save money.
Bulk
Large-scale purchase.
They decided to purchase office supplies in bulk.
Bulk
Major part or majority.
The bulk of her work is completed.
Common Curiosities
Who typically buys in bulk?
Consumers or businesses looking to stock up on specific items frequently buy in bulk.
What is wholesale?
Wholesale involves selling goods in large quantities at a reduced price, usually to retailers.
Who buys wholesale?
Retailers or businesses that resell products to consumers buy wholesale.
Can consumers buy wholesale?
Typically, wholesale is intended for businesses, but some wholesalers may sell to consumers.
Is bulk buying cheaper than retail?
Yes, bulk buying often reduces the cost per unit compared to retail prices.
What types of products are sold wholesale?
A wide range of products, from electronics to clothing, is sold wholesale.
What is bulk buying?
Bulk buying refers to purchasing large quantities of a single product, often to save money.
Is wholesale always for resale?
Yes, wholesale is generally for resale by retailers or businesses.
How do bulk purchases reduce costs?
By buying large quantities, the price per unit is often lower, reducing overall costs.
What types of products are sold in bulk?
Products like grains, cleaning supplies, and office materials are commonly sold in bulk.
How do wholesalers set prices?
Wholesalers set lower prices per unit to enable retailers to make a profit upon resale.
What is the main difference between bulk and wholesale?
Bulk refers to large quantities of a single item, while wholesale involves large quantities sold to businesses for resale.
Can wholesale prices vary?
Yes, wholesale prices can vary depending on the quantity and type of goods purchased.
Can businesses save money with bulk buying?
Yes, businesses can save significantly by purchasing frequently used items in bulk.
Are bulk items always unpackaged?
Bulk items often come with minimal or no packaging, but not always.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
