Baked goods are among the main food groups in most parts of the world. That’s why it’s no surprise that sales of bakery supplies wholesale are growing every year. Various businesses purchase bakery supplies in bulk. Some baking enthusiasts also benefit from wholesale prices and stock their pantries with large quantities of ingredients and supplies. Modern eCommerce platforms have given even retail buyers the chance to order large quantities of products and supplies. In this post, we’ll share more about the different types of bakery supplies sold wholesale. If you’re interested in this sector, make sure to read our articles on selling baked goods online, the different types of wholesale pastries for coffee shops, and our tips on opening a bakery.
Key takeaway: There are multiple categories and subcategories of baking supplies. A lot of businesses prefer to purchase them from specialized distributors in the sectors while others choose to order from broadline wholesalers.
What Are Bakery Supplies
The term refers to items that are not used as primary ingredients for baking. Instead, they are used for decoration, packaging, making, and displaying baked goods. Most distributors of bakery supplies wholesale also offer ingredients such as bulk chocolate, flavorings, wholesale flour, and different types of nut butter. That’s because buyers of baking suppliers are likely to also be interested in purchasing the main ingredients used to make baked goods.
Main Categories of Bakery Supplies
Baking supplies and ingredients can be divided into hundreds of categories and subcategories. Furthermore, as innovations are introduced regularly and new types of products have emerged, the number of categories increases. Let’s examine some of the major categories of bakery supplies.
- Ingredients. Although some sellers consider ingredients to be a separate niche, they are often grouped together with baking supplies. This is one of the biggest categories and includes goods like flour, fats, sweeteners, and flavorings. Liquids such as buttermilk and add-ins like chocolate chips and nuts are also ingredients for making pastries. Specialty products like plant-based milk or gluten-free flour are a subcategory of ingredients that have become very popular in recent years.
- Equipment. This category includes a variety of small, medium, and large appliances. Retail bakeries usually purchase small-scale mixers, sheeters, and other equipment. On the other hand, commercial bakeries invest in large appliances. It’s important to consider energy-efficient equipment as this can help the business have much lower utility costs.
- Decorations. They play an important role in baking. In fact, decorations are often used as part of the overall bakery marketing. In order to create interesting and unique designs, bakers and pastry chefs need to have a wide variety of decorations available.
- Packaging materials. From boxes for pastries to cupcake wrappers, there are multiple subcategories of packaging supplies for baked goods. When it comes to wholesale sales, businesses need to purchase both primary and secondary packaging materials (check our guide on the types of packaging materials).
- Tools. This category includes utensils such as pastry brushes, spoons, and measuring cups. Tools like sieves and knives are also used a lot by bakers.
- Specialty supplies. Distributors of bakery supplies wholesale also offer various specialty products. Food coloring, edible glitter, and edible ink are just a few examples.
- Other supplies. Wholesalers in this sector offer a variety of other products needed by bakery businesses. This includes small categories like yeast and baking powder and large ones such as stands, display cases, and other storage solutions.
Where to Buy Bakery Supplies Wholesale
Some of the products needed by bakeries are also offered by other suppliers. For example, a bakery might partner with distributors of wholesale restaurant supplies. Broadliners are also a viable option, especially for commercial bakeries that order large quantities of ingredients and supplies.
Online marketplaces like BlueCart are an excellent option to buy bakery supplies wholesale. These platforms allow buyers to compare prices and delivery conditions offered by different distributors.
What Businesses Buy Bakery Supplies Wholesale
Bakeries are the most common example of a business that purchases bakery supplies wholesale. However, there are other companies that also need various items from this sector. Here are a few examples.
- Cafes. A lot of cafes prepare coffee shop pastries on their own and need different decorations and ingredients for baking.
- Restaurants. A lot of businesses in the restaurant industry also bake their own pastries and bread. Thus, they need both supplies and equipment for baking.
- Hotels. They serve a lot of customers and rarely purchase goods from commercial bakeries. Instead, they prepare their own pastries, bread, and other baked goods.
- Institutions. As baked goods are one of the main categories of staple foods, schools, hospitals, prisons, and other institutions prepare them in large quantities.
- Supermarkets and other retailers. A lot of stores have in-house bakeries. Thus, they might partner with distributors that offer bakery supplies wholesale.
- Catering businesses. Caterers often prepare their own baked goods for weddings, corporate events, or other special occasions. As such, they need bulk deliveries of baking supplies and ingredients.
Frequently Asked Questions about Bakery Supplies Wholesale
Throughout the years, we’ve shared a lot of useful information on wholesale products and B2B sales. That’s why you can be sure that you’ll find many articles in your niche on our website. Below you can read the answers to some of the commonly asked questions regarding sales of bakery supplies wholesale.
What Bakery Technology Should Businesses Invest In?
It’s important for companies to stay up to date with the latest trends in technology. For example, investing in energy-efficient appliances can reduce bills in the long run. Mixing, forming, and packaging machinery can also automate various steps of the baking process. Software solutions are also important for bakeries. That includes accounting software, payment processing solutions, and other programs that are specifically designed to help bakeries. Not all of these are necessary when starting a bakery business. However, in order to grow the company, businesses should invest in automation and scaling solutions.
What Are the Trends in Bakery Supplies Wholesale?
Sustainability is a major trend in every niche market. Bakery businesses are no exception. Companies invest in eco-friendly packaging materials, locally grown ingredients, and energy-efficient equipment. This allows them to limit their ecological footprint. A lot of consumers also search for organic and non-GMO products. That’s why both retail and commercial bakeries have started offering such products. Another trend in bakery supplies is related to artisan and specialty products. Sales of ingredients such as edible flowers and specialty flours have increased in recent years. Decorations are an important part of the sector. Sellers of bakery supplies wholesale aim to offer a wide range of decorative products.
How Much Does Bakery Equipment Cost?
A small retail bakery will need between $20,000 and $50,000 to buy equipment and supplies. That includes appliances such as ovens, mixers, and refrigerators. Tools like bowls, pans, and display cases should also be calculated when creating a bakery business plan. The investments needed to open a commercial bakery can range from $200,000 to more than $500,000. That’s because large commercial and industrial appliances are much more expensive compared to small ones. Furthermore, commercial bakeries have higher costs for rent, equipment, and labor.
BlueCart: The Wholesale Ordering Software for Bakery Supplies Wholesale
BlueCart’s marketplace gives distributors the chance to find new customers, easily create eCommerce catalogs, and automate various business processes. Buyers can also benefit from our solution as it allows them to find suppliers in various fields and easily compare prices. Whether you’re a large broadline distributor or a smaller supplier that specializes in bakery supplies wholesale, schedule a free demo and see how BlueCart can help your business.