When running a dropshipping business, it’s essential to identify where to source high-quality items for your store. With so many dropshipping suppliers available, how do we find dropshipping suppliers suitable for our store? Picking the right one is vital to the success of our eCommerce venture.
With this in mind, this article will cover all the necessary information on how to find dropshipping suppliers. Furthermore, we will also explore the 15 best retail and wholesale dropshipping suppliers for our stores.
How To Find Dropshipping Suppliers
Finding reliable suppliers is crucial to our dropshipping venture. And, there are vast options available in 2023. One of the best methods to learn about reliable dropshipping suppliers is to work with dropshipping services. For instance, AutoDS allows us to connect with 25+ best dropshipping suppliers.
To elaborate, AutoDS is a dropshipping automation software that streamlines our business operations. With different automation features, we can fulfill our dropshipping business tasks efficiently.
On top of that, Google Lens is also an essential tool to find dropshipping suppliers. For example, if we see a product advertisement with many engagements, it means the product is in demand. Thus, if we want to dropship that winning product, we can use Google Lens to discover the supplier of the product to import it to our stores.
Also, we can contact manufacturers and suppliers and ask them if they provide dropshipping services. Additionally, we can go to tradeshows and interact with plenty of suppliers. Besides that, we can always do our own research on Google. All in all, these are the methods that we can use to find dropshipping suppliers.
Factors To Consider When Choosing A Dropshipping Supplier
Once we find dropshipping suppliers, we must verify they are reliable. To help us choose the best-suited platforms, here are crucial factors to consider when looking for a dropshipping supplier:
- Practical return, shipping, and payment policies
- International warehouses
- Fast shipping times
- Wide product range
- Affordable products
- Tracking information
- Positive reviews
- Excellent customer service
After considering the factors, we’re ready to choose the most reliable supplier for our dropshipping business. Always keep in mind that our suppliers are our business partners. As such, the products and services we get from our suppliers are what we extend to our customers.
15 Best Retail & Wholesale Dropshipping Suppliers
In general, dropshipping suppliers are of two types: retail and wholesale. Regarding the eCommerce structure, a retail dropshipping supplier runs a business-to-consumer (B2C) model, and a wholesaler operates a business-to-business (B2B) model.
Specifically, retail dropshipping suppliers allow us to dropship individual products to customers. Thus, they are flexible regarding the minimum order quantity (MOQ). On the other hand, wholesale dropshipping suppliers sell bulk products to dropshippers and do not deal with end customers.
Generally, wholesalers offer goods at lower prices, as their primary goal is to sell large quantities of products. It is essential to use a mix of both types of suppliers, depending on the product and the market.
Before making a decision, it’s important to consider the key features of each type of supplier. With that in mind, let’s look at some examples of both wholesale and retail suppliers, along with their key features:
Wholesale Dropshipping Suppliers
Now, let’s cover the top 5 wholesale dropshipping suppliers for our store.
1. CJDropshipping
Kicking off the list, CJDropshipping is an excellent choice for anyone looking for quality wholesale dropshipping suppliers. It offers a comprehensive platform that connects us with dozens of reliable Chinese suppliers, giving us access to low-cost products.
Key Features
- Affordable products
- Private labeling
- Print-on-demand products
- Product sourcing
- International warehouses
Since CJDropshipping sources products from China, it offers products at affordable prices. On top of that, it offers print-on-demand and private-label products. In short, these features help us get an edge over our competitors.
Besides that, CJDropshipping has a product sourcing service that allows dropshippers to request products that are not yet available on the platform. Plus, it has international warehouses in significant regions, allowing us to offer fast shipping to our customers.
2. Costco
Next up, we have Costco, a wholesale dropshipping supplier with a unique business model. Unlike other platforms, it provides a monthly membership club that offers exclusive products and benefits to its members.
Key Features
- Wide range of products
- Great benefits
- Product exclusivity
- Flexible return policy
- Fast shipping times
As one of the largest wholesale suppliers worldwide, Costco is an outstanding choice for dropshippers. Its unique business model allows us to dropship a vast range of exclusive products that are not available easily. Thus, we can sell those products at a higher profit margin.
Plus, Costco also provides tons of discounts and perks. In addition, Costco’s policy offers a 90 days return window. On top of that, it has fast and reliable shipping with just a 3-5 day delivery time.
3. Costway
Coming from a humble beginning, Costway began its eCommerce journey by selling on third-party platforms like eBay and Amazon. Now, it is one of the top dropshipping suppliers offering quality products at competitive prices.
Key Features
- 8000+ self-branded products
- Free shipping
- International warehouses
- 90-day returns
One unique feature of Costway is that it has over 8000 self-branded products from over ten different categories. On top of that, it offers free standard shipping on all items.
Furthermore, Costway has multiple warehouses in major regions that allow dropshippers to offer fast shipping within 3-5 days. Finally, it provides 90-day returns and refunds, which we can extend to our customers.
4. Alibaba
One of the largest wholesale dropshipping suppliers on our list is Alibaba. This supplier is an online selling platform that connects us with thousands of suppliers. As such, it has a wide variety of products from almost all categories.
Key Features
- Massive catalog of products
- Low-cost products
- Private labeling
- Positive customer reviews
With more than 8.5 million active sellers, Alibaba’s platform offers a massive selection of products from almost every category. Moreover, as a wholesale platform, it offers competitive prices. Hence, we can offer products at affordable prices to our customers.
Along with the massive variety, Alibaba enables us to sell private-label products under our brand name and packaging. Therefore, we can differentiate our stores from the competition, thus increasing our profit margins. Furthermore, it has a 4.2/5 star rating from over 19,000 reviews on Trustpilot. Thus, we can rest assured that Alibaba is a reliable dropshipping supplier.
5. DHGate
Last but not least, we have DHGate. This dropshipping supplier is also a B2B online marketplace that gives us direct access to many Chinese dropshipping suppliers.
Key Features
- Large product catalog
- Low-cost pricing
- Multiple payment gateways
- Tracking information
Connecting us with over 2 million sellers, DHGate offers us a vast range of products from different categories. Plus, its products are cost-effective, meaning more profits for us. Furthermore, this supplier works with multiple payment methods, such as PayPal, major credit cards, Sofort, Skrill, and Apple Pay.
Besides that, DHGate offers tracking information for all products on its website. Therefore, we can offer the same feature in our dropshipping store, which customers will value.
Retail Dropshipping Suppliers
Now, let’s take a look at the 10 best retail dropshipping suppliers to source products for our stores.
1. Walmart
One of the world’s largest chain stores, Walmart is undoubtedly an excellent retail dropshipping supplier. This dropshipping supplier is also a major brand offering plenty of products through its online platform.
Key Features
- A vast catalog of products
- Free next-day delivery
- Price match policy
- Excellent customer service
Since Walmart has a large selection of products, we can offer a huge variety in our store. Plus, it also provides next-day delivery, which helps us to provide super fast shipping times. On top of that, it offers free shipping for products over $35.
Additionally, Walmart has a price match policy for all products, ensuring we get the best price possible. Besides that, Walmart has excellent customer service that swiftly handles any issues or queries. Hence, we can extend excellent customer service to our customers.
2. Etsy
If we want to dropship unique products, Etsy is a great option. Focusing exclusively on handmade and creative products, Etsy is an exceptional retail dropshipping supplier.
Key Features
- Custom-made and vintage products
- Wide range of products
- Exceptional customer service
- Free and fast shipping
As Etsy offers very niche items, we have direct access to a huge product selection of innovative, specialized, and handmade items. And this enables us to gain higher profits as customers cannot find these products easily.
On top of that, Etsy sellers provide excellent customer service as they want to maintain their service level standards. Furthermore, it offers swift delivery of products within 1-3 business days, and most Etsy sellers provide free shipping.
3. AliExpress
Next up on our list of best retail dropshipping suppliers, we have AliExpress. This online platform connects dropshippers with thousands of retail suppliers that offer a wide range of affordable products.
Key Features
- Massive range of products
- Affordable products
- Worldwide shipping
- Dropship Center
- Positive customer reviews
As one of the largest online platforms, AliExpress has a massive variety of products from almost all categories. Also, its products are available at some of the lowest rates in the market.
Plus, it has international warehouses that offer fast shipping on many products. On top of that, AliExpress has a Dropship Center that allows us to find winning products. Thus, enabling us to dropship affordable and winning products, a surefire way to scale our business in 2023.
4. Banggood
Similar to AliExpress, Bangood is a retail platform that connects dropshippers with hundreds of Chinese suppliers. Boasting over 250,000 products, this supplier is one of the best dropshipping suppliers and has products from almost all categories.
Key Features
- Multiple niches
- International warehouses
- Fast shipping
- Dropshipping perks
With products from various niches, we can offer our customers a vast range of products. Additionally, Banggood has multiple international warehouses that allow faster delivery of products.
Also, Banggood provides dropshipping perks, like membership benefits, customized product recommendations, and quality product images. Furthermore, VIP members can enjoy additional discounts and cashback of up to 20%.
5. Overstock
Specializing in the home niche, Overstock is an online retail platform. As one of the 10 largest retailers, Overstock supplies items mainly from the furniture, home decor, and home improvement niches.
Key Features
- Club 0 Program
- Free and fast shipping
- Flexible return policy
- Outstanding customer support
The main feature of Overstock is its Club 0 Program which provides reasonable prices and 5% cashback on any purchase. Also, most of the products on this platform include free shipping within 1-2 days.
Furthermore, Overstock has a flexible return policy with a 30-day return window. Besides that, it has excellent customer service that we can extend to our customers.
6. Shein
Specializing in fashion, Shein is a reliable dropshipping supplier. Also, Shein offers us access to various affordable clothing products at competitive prices.
Key Features
- International warehouses
- Fast and low-cost shipping
- Easy return policy
- Promotional offers and discounts
With a massive network of warehouses, Shein allows us to ship products to our customers swiftly, resulting in fast shipping times.
Also, Shein has an easy return policy that allows customer returns up to 60 business days. On top of that, Shein offers plenty of special deals and discounts that can help us attract customers.
7. Target
Another retail dropshipping supplier on our list is Target. This dropshipping supplier is one of the largest US retail stores that offer a wide variety of products.
Key Features
- Multiple warehouses and distribution centers
- High-quality products
- 2-day shipping on orders above $35
- Target “Red Card”
Essentially, Target offers plenty of high-quality products from various niches. Additionally, it provides a 2-day shipping option for orders above $35. Notably, fast shipping increases customer satisfaction.
Also, with Target’s Red Card, we can get free 2-day shipping without a minimum order. Plus, we receive a 5% discount on most items. On top of that, they extend their excellent customer service by having a 90-day return period with full refund benefits.
8. Wayfair
Created by dropshippers, Wayfair is a dropshipping-friendly supplier that highlights the home niche. It offers all possible products that a home needs, ranging from furniture, appliances, décors, and more.
Key Features
- Dropshipping perks
- MYWAY program
- Two-day shipping
- Diverse payment options
Like many retail dropshipping suppliers, Wayfair offers dropshipping benefits such as free shipping, the MYWAY Program, and cashback offers. For instance, under the MYWAY Program, we can get free and one-day shipping for multiple products. Besides that, Wayfair has 2-day free shipping for orders over $49.
9. eBay
Next up on our list of retail dropshipping suppliers is eBay. This pioneering eCommerce platform helps dropshippers connect with thousands of reliable dropshipping suppliers.
Key Features
- International warehouses
- Fast delivery speed
- Massive product catalog
- Amazing customer service
- Buyer/Seller protection
Due to eBay’s global presence, it facilitates fast domestic and international shipping. Also, eBay is a substantial dropshipping supplier with a massive selection of products. Therefore, we can find special deals from every category.
Furthermore, eBay sellers provide amazing customer support to maintain and enhance their seller ratings. Extending this customer service to our customers can help build trust and foster long-term relationships. On top of that, eBay has a buyer protection program that protects us from fraud and low-quality products.
10. The Home Depot
And finally, we have The Home Depot. This retail dropshipping supplier specializes in home improvement and home decor items such as furniture, bbq grills, power tools, and more.
Key Features
- Massive product selection
- Tax exemption program
- Free 2-day delivery
- Price match guarantee
As a retail dropshipping supplier, Home Depot offers more than 2 million products. Plus, Home Depot offers two-day free shipping if orders are above $45.
Additionally, Home Depot also has a price match policy if we later find the same product elsewhere for a lower price. Furthermore, we can get tax exemption on some products to save up to 5% on purchases.
Overall, the wholesale and retail suppliers mentioned above are some of the most reliable for dropshipping. On top of that, all of the suppliers are supported by AutoDS. Since they all work with AutoDS, we can easily automate crucial processes such as product imports and order fulfillment to ease our business operations.
Moreover, we can use free dropshipping suppliers to source products without any upfront costs. With these suppliers, we can get high-quality products, thus increasing customer satisfaction.
Beginner’s Tip: Work with multiple dropshipping suppliers as it allows us access to various products. Additionally, we also need a backup in place if one of our suppliers faces issues with their production or supply chain.
How To Avoid Working With Fake Dropshipping Suppliers
Awesome, now we know about reliable wholesale and retail dropshipping suppliers. However, we must be aware of fake dropshipping suppliers, which can directly affect our business. With that in mind, here are things to look out for to avoid fake dropshipping suppliers:
- Check the supplier’s credibility
- Contact the supplier
- Order a sample product
- Additional fees, e.g., a monthly fee
First, we must check the supplier’s credibility by researching ratings and reviews and cross-referencing social media pages. Additionally, we should also contact the suppliers and talk about their services. On top of that, we can purchase a sample order to see if the product is of good quality and arrives on time.
In general, dropshipping suppliers do not charge a dropshipping fee. With that said, some dropshipping suppliers may offer extra services for an additional fee. For example, Wayfair has the MYWAY program, a subscription service that provides access to a larger selection of products and benefits.
All in all, considering these factors helps us find a compatible supplier to work with.
Automate Your Dropshipping Business & Fulfill Orders Quickly
Once we find a reliable supplier, we can start fulfilling orders in our store. Moreover, we need to automate our dropshipping business to unlock its full potential. In general, dropshipping can be done in two methods: manual and automatic.
With the manual method, we need to perform dropshipping tasks such as product importing and order fulfillment manually. For instance, manual order fulfillment requires us to go to the supplier’s website, fill in customer details, and pay for the product. Overall, this can take a lot of time and effort.
In contrast, with dropshipping automation tools like AutoDS Automatic Orders, we can fulfill our customer’s orders automatically. Interestingly, the automatic order fulfillment feature fulfills our orders using our buyer accounts on the supplier’s website.
On the other hand, Fulfilled By AutoDS is an advanced order fulfillment solution that uses the balance loaded on our AutoDS platform instead of our buyer accounts. With this tool, we don’t have to use our credit line or risk account suspensions on our supplier’s websites. Plus, we can also handle returns with a single click.
On top of that, both order fulfillment methods display order status and automatically send tracking numbers to our customers.
With that in mind, we can use AutoDS to automate our dropshipping business.Here are some valuable AutoDS tools that can help us expand and scale our dropshipping business:
- Complete Order Fulfillment
- Quick Product Imports
- Price /Stock Monitoring
- Automatic Price Optimization
- One-Screen Inventory Management
- and much more!
With these tools, we can enjoy more freedom. Plus, with all the saved time, we can focus on different aspects of our business, such as marketing and customer service. All in all, dropshipping automation tools like AutoDS can multiply our revenue while giving us more flexibility.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Find Dropshipping Suppliers?
One of the easiest ways to find dropshipping suppliers is to go through the list of 25+ AutoDS-supported dropshipping suppliers. Besides that, we can find dropshipping suppliers by researching on Google, going to trade shows, and contacting suppliers.
What Are The Best Dropshipping Suppliers To Work With In 2023?
Some of the best dropshipping suppliers are CJDropshipping, DHGate, and Alibaba. Similarly, AliExpress, Banggood, and Wayfair are the top dropshipping suppliers in 2023. Notably, they have a wide range of affordable products and dropshipping-friendly services.
Are There Free Dropshipping Suppliers?
Yes, there are many free dropshipping suppliers, such as Banggood, AliExpress, and Walmart. As such, we don’t need a minimum order quantity or to pay dropshipping fees to start dropshipping from free suppliers.
Conclusion
Great job for getting this far! We are now equipped with in-depth knowledge of how to find dropshipping suppliers for our eCommerce business. Now, the next step is to weigh our options and pick a suitable supplier for our dropshipping venture.
Once we work with reliable suppliers, we can source trending products and start bringing in profits. On a final note, check out more excellent dropshipping suppliers that can help our business thrive:
