Wholesaler

In general: middleman or Distributor who sells mainly to retailers, Jobbers, other merchants, and industrial, commercial, and institutional users as distinguished from consumers. See also Vendor.

Securities:

1. Investment Banker acting as an Underwriter in a New Issue or as a distributor in a secondary offering of securities. See also Secondary Distribution.

2. broker-dealer who trades with other broker-dealers, rather than with the retail investor, and receives discounts and selling commissions.

3. Sponsor of a Mutual Fund.

Business that buys goods from manufacturers and that sells goods, usually in large quantities to retailers, who in turn sell them to the end user. Virtually everything sold on a retail basis can be purchased from a wholesaler, who acts as middleman between the manufacturer (or owner, as in the case of list rentals) and the retailer. Wholesalers help manufacturers by absorbing some of the costs of sales and distribution, and allow manufacturers to concentrate their resources on manufacturing. See also markup.