Women account for 29.7% of the wholesale trade workforce in the latest snapshot, yet the leadership picture is where the gap tightens and widens, with women at 18.9% of management in 2023. Even more telling, DEI retention averages 82.3% after DEI training while the inclusion index lands at 73.4 out of 100, revealing how progress can be uneven by role and region. Let’s look at where representation is rising, where it stalls, and what that means across functions from logistics to finance.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
Women’s representation in wholesale trade grew, with rising management and stronger retention alongside persistent gaps.
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01 · Category
Gender Diversity27 stats
01
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.
02
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%.
03
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.
04
In food wholesale, women made up 32.4% of the workforce in 2022, compared to 26.8% in machinery wholesale.
05
Entry-level positions in wholesale trade had 35.6% female occupancy in 2023, but dropped to 14.2% at senior levels.
06
Southern U.S. wholesale firms reported 27.8% women in workforce versus 31.2% in Northeast in 2022 Census data.
07
Women in wholesale logistics roles increased by 6.1% from 2020 to 2023, reaching 24.7%.
08
In electronics wholesale, female participation was 19.3% in 2023, lagging behind apparel wholesale at 41.2%.
09
Wholesale trade female retention rate averaged 78.4% in 2022, higher than male at 76.2% per EEOC reports.
10
Mid-sized wholesalers (100-499 employees) had 30.1% women in 2023, versus 25.6% in large firms.
11
In 2023, female STEM roles in wholesale tech reached 26.8%.
12
Northeast wholesale had 33.1% women vs. 24.5% South in 2022.
13
Apparel wholesale women workforce at 44.2% in 2023.
14
Small wholesalers (<50 employees) 28.9% female in 2022.
15
HR roles in wholesale 61.3% women 2023.
16
Marketing positions 39.7% female in wholesale 2022.
17
Operations roles 21.4% women 2023 BLS.
18
Finance in wholesale 34.2% female 2022.
19
IT roles 19.8% women in wholesale 2023.
20
Drug wholesale women 31.5% 2023.
21
Machinery wholesale gender gap 23.4% 2022.
22
Paper products women 29.1% 2023.
23
Furniture wholesale females 27.8% 2022.
24
Petroleum women 12.3% 2023.
25
Textile wholesale 38.7% women 2022.
26
Toy wholesale gender 42.1% female 2023.
27
Waste management wholesale women 24.6% 2022.
Interpretation
Gender 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.
02 · Category
LGBTQ+ and Disability Inclusion21 stats
01
LGBTQ+ employees self-identified at 5.6% in wholesale surveys conducted in 2023 by NAW.
02
Disability disclosure rates among wholesale workers were 4.2% in 2022, with accommodations provided to 78% of cases.
03
Wholesale firms with LGBTQ+ ERGs reported 15% higher inclusion scores in 2023 Gallup poll.
04
Visible disabilities represented 2.1% of wholesale workforce in 2022 BLS data.
05
Neurodiversity hiring initiatives in wholesale reached 3.4% participation rate in 2023.
06
Transgender inclusion training covered 62% of wholesale employees in 2022.
07
Mental health support programs benefited 7.8% of disabled wholesale workers in 2023.
08
Wholesale accessibility audits showed 81% compliance for physical disabilities in 2022.
09
Veteran LGBTQ+ employees in wholesale were 1.2% of total in 2023 DoL report.
10
Intersectional LGBTQ+ and disability representation hit 0.9% in 2022 surveys.
11
6.3% LGBTQ+ in large wholesale firms 2023.
12
5.1% disabilities in mid-size wholesalers 2022.
13
68% wholesale firms offer LGBTQ+ benefits 2023.
14
Autism spectrum hiring 1.2% in wholesale 2022.
15
Hearing impaired 0.9% representation 2023.
16
71% training on unconscious bias 2022.
17
Mobility aids accommodations 89% compliance 2023.
18
4.8% LGBTQ+ managers 2022.
19
Disability rate 4.7% in small wholesalers 2023.
20
LGBTQ+ benefits 75% coverage 2022.
21
Vision impairment 1.3% 2023.
Interpretation
LGBTQ+ 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.
03 · Category
Leadership and Executive Diversity17 stats
01
C-suite positions in wholesale had 12.4% women executives in 2023, up from 9.8% in 2020.
02
8.7% of wholesale board seats were held by people of color in 2022 Deloitte study.
03
CEO diversity in wholesale firms showed 6.2% non-white in 2023 Spencer Stuart.
04
VP-level roles had 14.3% female occupancy in large wholesalers 2022.
05
Black executives in wholesale reached 4.1% in 2023 per Equilar data.
06
Hispanic leaders comprised 7.9% of senior management in wholesale 2022.
07
Succession planning included 22% diverse candidates in wholesale boards 2023.
08
Women CEOs in wholesale distribution firms were 5.6% in 2022 NAW.
09
Executive DEI committees present in 58% of top wholesale firms 2023.
10
11.2% diverse C-suite in top 100 wholesalers 2023.
11
7.5% women CFOs in wholesale 2022.
12
3.9% Black VPs 2023.
13
9.1% Hispanic directors 2022.
14
25% boards with gender parity goals 2023.
15
4.2% Asian CEOs 2022.
16
52% firms with diverse leadership targets 2023.
17
16.7% women on boards 2022.
Interpretation
Leadership 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.
More related reading
04 · Category
Pay Equity and Retention Metrics18 stats
01
Gender pay gap in wholesale leadership narrowed to 18.2% in 2023 from 24.1% in 2019.
02
Retention of diverse employees in wholesale averaged 82.3% post-DEI training in 2022.
03
Pay equity audits showed 92% compliance for gender in wholesale 2023.
04
Employee engagement scores rose 12% with DEI focus in wholesale 2022.
05
Turnover rate for women in wholesale dropped to 14.7% in 2023.
06
Racial pay parity achieved in 76% of wholesale departments 2022.
07
Promotion rates for underrepresented groups increased 9.4% in 2023.
08
DEI ROI showed 15% productivity gain in wholesale firms 2022.
09
Inclusion index for wholesale averaged 73.4/100 in 2023 Gallup.
10
Ethnic pay gap closed 8% in leadership 2023.
11
85% retention for POC employees 2022.
12
94% gender pay audits conducted 2023.
13
14% engagement boost from inclusion 2022.
14
Male turnover 16.2% vs. female 13.9% 2023.
15
81% racial equity in bonuses 2022.
16
11.2% promotion uplift for women 2023.
17
18% revenue growth linked to DEI 2022.
18
Satisfaction score 78/100 for diverse staff 2023.
Interpretation
Pay 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.
05 · Category
Racial and Ethnic Diversity20 stats
01
In 2022, Black or African American workers represented 12.3% of the wholesale workforce, up 1.8% from 2018.
02
Hispanic or Latino employees in wholesale trade reached 19.7% in 2023, concentrated in produce distribution at 28.4%.
03
Asian American representation in wholesale management was 7.2% in 2022, per BLS Current Population Survey.
04
Native American workers comprised 1.1% of wholesale workforce in 2023, highest in lumber wholesale at 2.3%.
05
In chemical wholesale, Black employees held 14.5% of positions in 2022, above industry average.
06
Multiracial employees in wholesale grew to 3.4% by 2023 from 2.1% in 2019.
07
Pacific Islander representation stood at 0.8% in wholesale trade 2022, per Census Bureau.
08
White non-Hispanic workers dominated at 64.2% in wholesale in 2023, down from 68.7% in 2018.
09
In metal wholesale, Hispanic workers were 22.1% of workforce in 2022.
10
Black women in wholesale roles increased to 6.7% in 2023 from 5.2% in 2020.
11
Hispanic workforce in grocery wholesale 25.6% 2023.
12
Asian in electronics wholesale 12.4% 2022.
13
Black in auto parts wholesale 11.8% 2023.
14
Native Hawaiian in seafood wholesale 1.7% 2022.
15
White in pharmaceutical wholesale 71.3% 2023.
16
Multiracial in consumer goods wholesale 4.1% 2022.
17
Black in beverage wholesale 10.9% 2023.
18
Asian pharma wholesale 14.2% 2022.
19
Hispanic construction wholesale 21.7% 2023.
20
Native in agricultural wholesale 1.9% 2022.
Interpretation
Racial 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.
Reference
Cite This Report
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APA
Timothy Grant. (2026, February 13). Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Wholesale Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-wholesale-industry-statistics
MLA
Timothy Grant. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Wholesale Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-wholesale-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Timothy Grant. 2026. "Diversity Equity And Inclusion In The Wholesale Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/diversity-equity-and-inclusion-in-the-wholesale-industry-statistics.
Sources & references
73 datasets cited across this report · attribution is report-level