EU wholesale trade: analysis of the sector and value chains
Completed research studies
Commissioned by: European Commission
Study by: Austrian Institute of Economic Research – Austrian Institute of Technology – IDEA Consult – The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies
Closed: 2016
The study will examine the European wholesale trade industry from a number of different perspectives. A first objective of
the study is to gain an overview of the size and economic significance of wholesale trade in the EU. A second aim is to understand
wholesale trade as an economic function, linking various sectors and countries in global value chains. Third we will go deeper
into one wholesale sector with a case study ("wholesale of mining, construction and civil engineering machinery").
Research group:Industrial, Innovation and International Economics
Study by: Austrian Institute of Economic Research – Austrian Institute of Technology – The Vienna Institute for International Economic Studies – IDEA Consult
This report investigates wholesale as one of the main service industries in the European economy. Wholesale is the resale
of new and used goods to retailers, industrial, commercial, institutional or professional users, or to other wholesalers on
their own account or for third parties. It plays a pivotal role in the European Single Market by bridging national markets
and connecting producers, retail trade and industrial demand across Europe. Wholesale employs about 10 million persons in
the EU 28 and accounts for a share of 7 to 9 percent in total employment in most EU countries. The share of micro and small
enterprises is considerably higher than in manufacturing. The sector reveals considerable heterogeneity in terms of firm size,
productivity and profitability across EU countries and wholesale sub-sectors. Moreover, the report sheds light on the integration
of the wholesale sector in value chains with upstream manufacturers and downstream retailers, and on the role of technology
and innovation in wholesale.