Scaling your B2B wholesale business online? Shopify Plus simplifies wholesale operations and combines them with direct-to-consumer management in one platform. Key features include custom pricing, bulk order tools, and flexible payment terms.
Key Benefits at a Glance:
- Custom Pricing & Discounts: Set tiered pricing and volume-based discounts.
- Streamlined Operations: Real-time inventory sync, automated orders, and bulk processing.
- Customer Management: Tailored catalogues, company profiles, and self-service portals.
- Market Potential: Tap into the $9.2 trillion global wholesale ecommerce market (2023).
Shopify Plus transforms manual wholesale processes into a seamless, efficient digital experience. Whether you’re catering to both B2B and B2C customers or running a dedicated wholesale store, Shopify Plus equips you with the tools to grow.
Shopify Plus B2B – Top Features for Wholesalers
Building Your Wholesale Store
Creating a B2B wholesale store on Shopify Plus takes thoughtful planning and smart decisions. Let’s break down the key steps to get your store up and running.
Choosing Between B2B-Only or Combined Stores
Deciding between a combined or dedicated store model is crucial – it impacts your operations and how customers interact with your business.
| Store Type | Benefits | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Blended Store | – Centralised admin dashboard – Shared inventory management – Unified branding – Combined analytics | Businesses selling to both B2B and B2C markets with overlapping products |
| Dedicated B2B Store | – Tailored wholesale experience – Separate inventory control – Focused B2B reporting – Customised, market-specific content | Companies with clearly distinct wholesale operations |
Setting Up Your B2B Channel
Shopify B2B offers built-in tools to simplify the wholesale buying process. Here’s what to configure:
- Tiered pricing for wholesale customers
- Minimum order requirements
- Approval workflows for customer accounts
- Flexible payment terms and methods
- Profiles tailored for B2B buyers
“The online experience for wholesale ecommerce websites should be as minimal as possible. Buyers want products that perform. Buyers have POs to enter and want the least amount of hiccups possible”, says Neil Stuber, Brand Manager at Hurraw! Balm.
B2B Theme Setup
Your store’s design should focus on speed and simplicity, helping wholesale buyers find and purchase products easily.
Key elements to include:
- Advanced search with filters
- Bulk order forms for quick purchasing
- Clear displays of pricing tiers
- Simple navigation for faster browsing
- Mobile-friendly design for buyers on the go
“SEO is a goldmine for B2B, and in many niches, it’s significantly less competitive than B2C. Many of the top brands haven’t invested a dollar in SEO because they haven’t had to”.
Also, make sure your store integrates smoothly with existing systems. Features like real-time inventory updates, automated order processing, custom checkout options, and region-specific content can make all the difference.
Essential B2B Tools in Shopify Plus
Running a wholesale business efficiently means having the right tools to simplify processes and improve the buying experience. Shopify Plus offers several features designed to support and optimise your wholesale operations.
Price Tiers and Bulk Discounts
Managing wholesale pricing requires precision. Shopify Plus provides tools to create detailed pricing structures:
| Pricing Feature | Capability | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Volume Pricing | Automatic discounts based on order size | Encourages larger purchases |
| Custom Price Lists | Percentage or fixed-amount discounts | Customised pricing for various clients |
| Conditional Rules | Minimum requirements for specific products | Better inventory control |
| Case Pack Rules | Incremental order requirements | Simplifies order processing |
These features let you set up pricing tiers based on factors like order size, customer type, or product category. This ensures consistency while meeting the demands of wholesale buyers.
B2B Payment Options
Wholesale customers often need payment options that fit their internal processes. Shopify Plus allows you to customise payment methods and currency settings for each client. These features are seamlessly integrated into the platform’s admin interface, making it easy to manage and adapt as needed.
Business Customer Management
Handling B2B relationships often involves managing complex organisational needs. Shopify Plus provides tools to streamline this process:
- Company Profiles: Create detailed accounts for businesses, including multiple buyer locations, custom permissions, specific payment terms, and tax exemptions.
- Customer-Specific Catalogues: Offer tailored product collections, ensuring customers see only the items and pricing relevant to their agreements.
- Sales Representative Tools: Equip your team to access customer accounts, place orders, track activities, and strengthen client relationships.
With an email-based authentication system, Shopify Plus ensures customers see personalised pricing, payment terms, and catalogues, providing a smooth and secure shopping experience for your wholesale operations.
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Managing Wholesale Operations
Running wholesale operations smoothly means having systems that can handle big orders and track inventory accurately. Shopify Plus offers tools designed to simplify these tasks for B2B businesses.
Bulk Order Systems
Handling large orders requires automation and precise inventory management. Shopify Plus’s bulk order features keep stock levels accurate across all sales channels.
| Order Management Feature | Function | Business Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Real-time Sync | Updates inventory across channels automatically | Prevents overselling |
| Automated Reordering | Triggers stock replenishment when levels drop | Avoids stockouts |
| Bulk Processing | Processes multiple orders at once | Boosts efficiency |
| Order Status Tracking | Provides live updates on order progress | Enhances transparency |
Shopify Plus’s automation has made a big impact, with 80% to 90% of wholesale buyers now using the wholesale channel for placing orders. Pair these tools with self-service portals to make operations even smoother.
Customer Order Portals
Self-service portals give buyers the ability to manage their orders and account details independently. These tools have changed how wholesale businesses interact with customers.
Key features include:
- Order history tracking with reordering options
- Real-time inventory updates
- Custom pricing displays
- Live order status updates
- Account management tools
Custom Product Catalogues
Customised product catalogues let wholesalers offer personalised experiences. Shopify Plus makes managing these catalogues straightforward with features like:
- Customer-Specific Pricing: Set unique price lists for different buyer groups
- Product Availability Rules: Control which customers see specific products
- Quantity Requirements: Enforce minimum order quantities or case pack rules
- Volume Pricing Tiers: Apply discounts automatically for bulk purchases
These catalogues integrate seamlessly with the admin dashboard, allowing businesses to manage different customer segments from one central place.
With tools like these, the wholesale ecommerce market hit $9.2 trillion in 2023, showing how digital solutions are reshaping B2B commerce.
Customer Success Examples
Australian businesses have shown how Shopify Plus can simplify wholesale operations and drive growth. These stories highlight the efficiency improvements and customisation options discussed earlier.
Gold Coast Wholesale Business
Before transitioning to Shopify Plus, Beard & Blade dealt with fragmented storefronts, manual inventory updates, and clunky order processes. After making the switch, they saw wholesale revenue double, achieved a 5× higher average order value (AOV) of A$296, and fully automated their inventory management.
| Metric | Improvement |
|---|---|
| Wholesale Revenue | 100% increase |
| Wholesale AOV | A$296 (5× higher than retail) |
| Retail Sales | 35% year‑over‑year growth |
| Inventory Management | Fully automated |
“Switching to Shopify Plus has been remarkable. We’re doing record sales since switching to Shopify Plus. This was unthinkable when we were on Adobe Commerce.” – Salemme, Beard & Blade
Following their success on the Gold Coast, similar advancements in Brisbane have further validated the benefits of Shopify Plus for wholesale operations.
Brisbane Business Example
A Brisbane-based business revamped their wholesale operations by introducing a branded self-service portal. This portal allows customers to access custom product collections with tailored pricing and track orders seamlessly.
“Our wholesale offering has improved dramatically since switching to Shopify Plus. Not only is it easier to set up and manage but customers love being able to log in and track their orders.” – Salemme, Beard & Blade
These examples show how integrating retail and wholesale operations into a single platform – with separate pricing structures and customer lists – can help Australian businesses scale effectively.
Conclusion
Key Benefits Overview
The B2B wholesale market has changed dramatically, and Shopify Plus has become a powerful tool for Australian businesses. Its built-in B2B features simplify complex wholesale tasks, saving time and boosting efficiency.
Here’s how it makes an impact:
| Category | Impact |
|---|---|
| Market Potential | Access to A$9.2 trillion wholesale ecommerce market |
| Efficiency Boost | Automated inventory and order management |
| Cost Savings | Reduced cost-per-unit through higher volumes |
| Customer Experience | Personalised pricing and self-service options |
These features not only streamline operations but also create opportunities for business growth.
Opportunities for B2B Growth
Shopify Plus offers built-in B2B tools, included in the platform, to help businesses grow. These tools are designed to evolve with merchant needs and support long-term success by offering:
- Customised Storefronts: Create tailored experiences with customer-specific pricing and catalogues.
- Automation Tools: Use Shopify Flow and integrations to simplify daily operations.
- Market Expansion Tools: Enter new markets confidently with reduced risks.
This setup equips Australian wholesalers with the tools to stay competitive and take advantage of new opportunities in the wholesale sector.
Are you ready to elevate your online business to the next level? With automation, easy customisation, and multi-channel adaptability, Alinga’s Shopify Plus integration will help grow your e-commerce business. Our team of experts ensures that your setup is smooth future-ready, and fits every requirement. Let’s explore how Alinga can transform your Shopify platform into an effective sales tool, get in touch with us right away!
