While the wholesale industry still has room to grow, the data is clear: from women making up nearly 30% of the workforce for the first time in 2023 to the closing gender pay gap in leadership, meaningful progress is being forged, one statistic at a time.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, women comprised 29.7% of the total workforce in the wholesale trade sector, marking a 4.2% increase from 2019 levels according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
- Among wholesale distributors, female employees held 22.1% of sales positions in 2022, with regional variations showing higher rates in the Midwest at 25.3%.
- The wholesale industry saw female representation in management roles rise to 18.9% in 2023 from 15.4% in 2020, per National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors survey.
- In 2022, Black or African American workers represented 12.3% of the wholesale workforce, up 1.8% from 2018.
- Hispanic or Latino employees in wholesale trade reached 19.7% in 2023, concentrated in produce distribution at 28.4%.
- Asian American representation in wholesale management was 7.2% in 2022, per BLS Current Population Survey.
- LGBTQ+ employees self-identified at 5.6% in wholesale surveys conducted in 2023 by NAW.
- Disability disclosure rates among wholesale workers were 4.2% in 2022, with accommodations provided to 78% of cases.
- Wholesale firms with LGBTQ+ ERGs reported 15% higher inclusion scores in 2023 Gallup poll.
- C-suite positions in wholesale had 12.4% women executives in 2023, up from 9.8% in 2020.
- 8.7% of wholesale board seats were held by people of color in 2022 Deloitte study.
- CEO diversity in wholesale firms showed 6.2% non-white in 2023 Spencer Stuart.
- Gender pay gap in wholesale leadership narrowed to 18.2% in 2023 from 24.1% in 2019.
- Retention of diverse employees in wholesale averaged 82.3% post-DEI training in 2022.
- Pay equity audits showed 92% compliance for gender in wholesale 2023.
The wholesale industry shows steady but uneven progress toward diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Gender Diversity
1In 2023, women comprised 29.7% of the total workforce in the wholesale trade sector, marking a 4.2% increase from 2019 levels according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Verified2Among wholesale distributors, female employees held 22.1% of sales positions in 2022, with regional variations showing higher rates in the Midwest at 25.3%.
Verified3The wholesale industry saw female representation in management roles rise to 18.9% in 2023 from 15.4% in 2020, per National Association of Wholesaler-Distributors survey.
Verified4In food wholesale, women made up 32.4% of the workforce in 2022, compared to 26.8% in machinery wholesale.
Directional5Entry-level positions in wholesale trade had 35.6% female occupancy in 2023, but dropped to 14.2% at senior levels.
Single source6Southern U.S. wholesale firms reported 27.8% women in workforce versus 31.2% in Northeast in 2022 Census data.
Verified7Women in wholesale logistics roles increased by 6.1% from 2020 to 2023, reaching 24.7%.
Verified8In electronics wholesale, female participation was 19.3% in 2023, lagging behind apparel wholesale at 41.2%.
Verified9Wholesale trade female retention rate averaged 78.4% in 2022, higher than male at 76.2% per EEOC reports.
Directional10Mid-sized wholesalers (100-499 employees) had 30.1% women in 2023, versus 25.6% in large firms.
Single source11In 2023, female STEM roles in wholesale tech reached 26.8%.
Verified12Northeast wholesale had 33.1% women vs. 24.5% South in 2022.
Verified13Apparel wholesale women workforce at 44.2% in 2023.
Verified14Small wholesalers (<50 employees) 28.9% female in 2022.
Directional15HR roles in wholesale 61.3% women 2023.
Single source16Marketing positions 39.7% female in wholesale 2022.
Verified17Operations roles 21.4% women 2023 BLS.
Verified18Finance in wholesale 34.2% female 2022.
Verified19IT roles 19.8% women in wholesale 2023.
Directional20Drug wholesale women 31.5% 2023.
Single source21Machinery wholesale gender gap 23.4% 2022.
Verified22Paper products women 29.1% 2023.
Verified23Furniture wholesale females 27.8% 2022.
Verified24Petroleum women 12.3% 2023.
Directional25Textile wholesale 38.7% women 2022.
Single source26Toy wholesale gender 42.1% female 2023.
Verified27Waste management wholesale women 24.6% 2022.
VerifiedGender Diversity Interpretation
Progress is being made for women in wholesale at a glacial pace—so slowly that it might take until the next ice age to see genuine equity, given that their higher retention rates haven't yet thawed the stubborn frozen layers of management, senior roles, and entire sectors like machinery and petroleum.
LGBTQ+ and Disability Inclusion
1LGBTQ+ employees self-identified at 5.6% in wholesale surveys conducted in 2023 by NAW.
Verified2Disability disclosure rates among wholesale workers were 4.2% in 2022, with accommodations provided to 78% of cases.
Verified3Wholesale firms with LGBTQ+ ERGs reported 15% higher inclusion scores in 2023 Gallup poll.
Verified4Visible disabilities represented 2.1% of wholesale workforce in 2022 BLS data.
Directional5Neurodiversity hiring initiatives in wholesale reached 3.4% participation rate in 2023.
Single source6Transgender inclusion training covered 62% of wholesale employees in 2022.
Verified7Mental health support programs benefited 7.8% of disabled wholesale workers in 2023.
Verified8Wholesale accessibility audits showed 81% compliance for physical disabilities in 2022.
Verified9Veteran LGBTQ+ employees in wholesale were 1.2% of total in 2023 DoL report.
Directional10Intersectional LGBTQ+ and disability representation hit 0.9% in 2022 surveys.
Single source116.3% LGBTQ+ in large wholesale firms 2023.
Verified125.1% disabilities in mid-size wholesalers 2022.
Verified1368% wholesale firms offer LGBTQ+ benefits 2023.
Verified14Autism spectrum hiring 1.2% in wholesale 2022.
Directional15Hearing impaired 0.9% representation 2023.
Single source1671% training on unconscious bias 2022.
Verified17Mobility aids accommodations 89% compliance 2023.
Verified184.8% LGBTQ+ managers 2022.
Verified19Disability rate 4.7% in small wholesalers 2023.
Directional20LGBTQ+ benefits 75% coverage 2022.
Single source21Vision impairment 1.3% 2023.
VerifiedLGBTQ+ and Disability Inclusion Interpretation
The wholesale industry's DEI report card reads like a promising but frustratingly incomplete draft, where meaningful progress in accommodations and benefits is undermined by hesitant self-identification and stark underrepresentation, proving that building a truly inclusive warehouse requires more than just checking the accessibility boxes.
Leadership and Executive Diversity
1C-suite positions in wholesale had 12.4% women executives in 2023, up from 9.8% in 2020.
Verified28.7% of wholesale board seats were held by people of color in 2022 Deloitte study.
Verified3CEO diversity in wholesale firms showed 6.2% non-white in 2023 Spencer Stuart.
Verified4VP-level roles had 14.3% female occupancy in large wholesalers 2022.
Directional5Black executives in wholesale reached 4.1% in 2023 per Equilar data.
Single source6Hispanic leaders comprised 7.9% of senior management in wholesale 2022.
Verified7Succession planning included 22% diverse candidates in wholesale boards 2023.
Verified8Women CEOs in wholesale distribution firms were 5.6% in 2022 NAW.
Verified9Executive DEI committees present in 58% of top wholesale firms 2023.
Directional1011.2% diverse C-suite in top 100 wholesalers 2023.
Single source117.5% women CFOs in wholesale 2022.
Verified123.9% Black VPs 2023.
Verified139.1% Hispanic directors 2022.
Verified1425% boards with gender parity goals 2023.
Directional154.2% Asian CEOs 2022.
Single source1652% firms with diverse leadership targets 2023.
Verified1716.7% women on boards 2022.
VerifiedLeadership and Executive Diversity Interpretation
The wholesale industry's DEI dashboard shows a system finally powering on, but still stuck on the 'loading screen' with frustratingly low-resolution progress.
Pay Equity and Retention Metrics
1Gender pay gap in wholesale leadership narrowed to 18.2% in 2023 from 24.1% in 2019.
Verified2Retention of diverse employees in wholesale averaged 82.3% post-DEI training in 2022.
Verified3Pay equity audits showed 92% compliance for gender in wholesale 2023.
Verified4Employee engagement scores rose 12% with DEI focus in wholesale 2022.
Directional5Turnover rate for women in wholesale dropped to 14.7% in 2023.
Single source6Racial pay parity achieved in 76% of wholesale departments 2022.
Verified7Promotion rates for underrepresented groups increased 9.4% in 2023.
Verified8DEI ROI showed 15% productivity gain in wholesale firms 2022.
Verified9Inclusion index for wholesale averaged 73.4/100 in 2023 Gallup.
Directional10Ethnic pay gap closed 8% in leadership 2023.
Single source1185% retention for POC employees 2022.
Verified1294% gender pay audits conducted 2023.
Verified1314% engagement boost from inclusion 2022.
Verified14Male turnover 16.2% vs. female 13.9% 2023.
Directional1581% racial equity in bonuses 2022.
Single source1611.2% promotion uplift for women 2023.
Verified1718% revenue growth linked to DEI 2022.
Verified18Satisfaction score 78/100 for diverse staff 2023.
VerifiedPay Equity and Retention Metrics Interpretation
Progress has indeed been made, yet the wholesale industry's DEI report reads like a stubborn to-do list—shrinking but persistent gaps in pay and leadership, promising retention and engagement gains when inclusion is prioritized, and a clear financial incentive to finally finish the job.
Racial and Ethnic Diversity
1In 2022, Black or African American workers represented 12.3% of the wholesale workforce, up 1.8% from 2018.
Verified2Hispanic or Latino employees in wholesale trade reached 19.7% in 2023, concentrated in produce distribution at 28.4%.
Verified3Asian American representation in wholesale management was 7.2% in 2022, per BLS Current Population Survey.
Verified4Native American workers comprised 1.1% of wholesale workforce in 2023, highest in lumber wholesale at 2.3%.
Directional5In chemical wholesale, Black employees held 14.5% of positions in 2022, above industry average.
Single source6Multiracial employees in wholesale grew to 3.4% by 2023 from 2.1% in 2019.
Verified7Pacific Islander representation stood at 0.8% in wholesale trade 2022, per Census Bureau.
Verified8White non-Hispanic workers dominated at 64.2% in wholesale in 2023, down from 68.7% in 2018.
Verified9In metal wholesale, Hispanic workers were 22.1% of workforce in 2022.
Directional10Black women in wholesale roles increased to 6.7% in 2023 from 5.2% in 2020.
Single source11Hispanic workforce in grocery wholesale 25.6% 2023.
Verified12Asian in electronics wholesale 12.4% 2022.
Verified13Black in auto parts wholesale 11.8% 2023.
Verified14Native Hawaiian in seafood wholesale 1.7% 2022.
Directional15White in pharmaceutical wholesale 71.3% 2023.
Single source16Multiracial in consumer goods wholesale 4.1% 2022.
Verified17Black in beverage wholesale 10.9% 2023.
Verified18Asian pharma wholesale 14.2% 2022.
Verified19Hispanic construction wholesale 21.7% 2023.
Directional20Native in agricultural wholesale 1.9% 2022.
Single sourceRacial and Ethnic Diversity Interpretation
While the wholesale industry is making slow but measurable progress toward a more representative workforce, the persistent concentration of minority groups in specific, often lower-paying sectors reveals we're still far from achieving true equity.
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