GITNUXREPORT 2026

Hr In The Wholesale Industry Statistics

The wholesale industry is aggressively adopting new HR strategies to address persistent labor shortages and retention issues.

Rajesh Patel

Team Lead & Senior Researcher with over 15 years of experience in market research and data analytics.

First published: Feb 13, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Rigorous fact-checking · Reputable sources · Regular updatesLearn more

Statistic 1

Average base salary for wholesale HR managers: $112,000 in 2023

Statistic 2

78% of wholesale firms offer health insurance to full-time employees

Statistic 3

Bonus payouts averaged 12% of salary in wholesale sales

Statistic 4

401(k) match at 4.2% average in wholesale trade

Statistic 5

Paid time off averages 15 days for wholesale non-exempt staff

Statistic 6

Gender pay gap in wholesale at 18% for similar roles

Statistic 7

55% provide tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year

Statistic 8

Overtime pay compliance at 92% in wholesale warehouses

Statistic 9

Equity grants to 24% of wholesale executives

Statistic 10

Wellness stipend average $750 annually in wholesale

Statistic 11

68% offer dental/vision benefits

Statistic 12

Commission structures drive 35% of sales comp in wholesale

Statistic 13

Life insurance coverage at 2x salary for 71% employees

Statistic 14

42% increased pay equity audits in 2023

Statistic 15

Remote work stipend $50/month for 29% firms

Statistic 16

ESOP participation in 15% of wholesale distributors

Statistic 17

Maternity leave paid at 12 weeks for 37% companies

Statistic 18

Performance-based raises averaged 3.8% in 2023

Statistic 19

Childcare benefits offered by 22% of wholesale employers

Statistic 20

Long-term incentive plans cover 48% managers

Statistic 21

65% satisfaction with total rewards packages

Statistic 22

Pet insurance added by 14% in 2023

Statistic 23

Shift differentials average $2.50/hour in warehouses

Statistic 24

401(k) enrollment at 82% for eligible employees

Statistic 25

Sign-on bonuses for key roles up 28%, average $8,000

Statistic 26

HSA contributions matched by 39%

Statistic 27

Total comp transparency reported by 51% HR teams

Statistic 28

Women in wholesale earn 82 cents per dollar vs men

Statistic 29

Average benefits cost 32% of salary in wholesale

Statistic 30

27% offer student loan repayment assistance

Statistic 31

Women hold 28% of wholesale HR leadership roles in 2023

Statistic 32

Ethnic minorities comprise 41% of wholesale workforce

Statistic 33

34% of wholesale boards have gender diversity targets

Statistic 34

LGBTQ+ inclusion scores average 3.7/5 in wholesale

Statistic 35

52% of firms track DEI metrics quarterly

Statistic 36

Black representation in management up 7% since 2020

Statistic 37

ERGs active in 63% of large wholesale companies

Statistic 38

29% pay gap reduction via DEI initiatives

Statistic 39

Hispanic employees at 19% of wholesale sales roles

Statistic 40

71% of wholesale HR prioritize unconscious bias training

Statistic 41

Disability inclusion hiring up 14%

Statistic 42

46% diverse supplier spend targets met

Statistic 43

Age diversity: 25% over 55 in wholesale workforce

Statistic 44

38% increase in women in STEM wholesale roles

Statistic 45

Inclusive culture scores 4.1/5 average

Statistic 46

Veteran employees 8% of total workforce

Statistic 47

55% DEI budget growth in 2023

Statistic 48

Neurodiversity hiring pilots in 12% firms

Statistic 49

67% report improved innovation from diverse teams

Statistic 50

Asian representation 6% in leadership

Statistic 51

49% employee resource groups for women

Statistic 52

Belonging index at 78% in top wholesale DEI firms

Statistic 53

23% Indigenous employee representation targeted

Statistic 54

Mentorship for underrepresented groups up 31%

Statistic 55

64% link DEI to performance reviews

Statistic 56

Intersectional DEI programs in 27% companies

Statistic 57

72% satisfaction with DEI efforts among minorities

Statistic 58

Supplier diversity spend $15B in wholesale 2023

Statistic 59

In 2023, 45% of wholesale companies reported difficulty in recruiting skilled warehouse workers due to labor shortages

Statistic 60

Wholesale firms saw a 28% increase in time-to-hire for sales positions from 2021 to 2023, averaging 42 days

Statistic 61

62% of HR managers in wholesale trade use online job boards as primary sourcing method

Statistic 62

Entry-level hiring in wholesale grew by 15% in 2022, driven by e-commerce demand

Statistic 63

37% of wholesale recruiters prioritize candidates with supply chain certifications

Statistic 64

Female representation in wholesale hiring increased to 32% in 2023 from 28% in 2020

Statistic 65

51% of wholesale companies implemented AI screening tools for hiring in 2023

Statistic 66

Average cost-per-hire in wholesale sector was $4,200 in 2022

Statistic 67

40% of wholesale hires come from internal referrals, highest among industries

Statistic 68

Hiring for logistics roles in wholesale rose 22% YoY in 2023

Statistic 69

55% of wholesale HR leaders report skills gaps in digital tools among applicants

Statistic 70

Campus recruiting yielded 18% of new wholesale graduates in 2023

Statistic 71

48% increase in remote hiring for wholesale admin roles post-COVID

Statistic 72

Diversity hiring targets met by 65% of large wholesale firms in 2023

Statistic 73

29% of wholesale positions unfilled for over 60 days in 2023

Statistic 74

Veteran hiring programs adopted by 42% of wholesale distributors

Statistic 75

Gig economy workers fill 12% of seasonal wholesale roles

Statistic 76

67% of wholesale recruiters use video interviews standardly

Statistic 77

STEM-skilled hires up 35% in wholesale tech roles 2022-2023

Statistic 78

53% preference for hybrid work in wholesale job applications

Statistic 79

Applicant tracking systems used by 78% of wholesale HR in 2023

Statistic 80

24% growth in wholesale intern programs in 2023

Statistic 81

Multilingual candidates sought for 39% of wholesale sales jobs

Statistic 82

46% of hires via social media in wholesale under 35 age group

Statistic 83

Pre-employment testing adopted by 61% for wholesale manual labor roles

Statistic 84

33% increase in wholesale executive search firm usage

Statistic 85

52% of wholesale HR budgets allocated to recruitment in 2023

Statistic 86

Passive candidate sourcing up 41% in wholesale

Statistic 87

27% rejection rate due to cultural fit in wholesale hiring

Statistic 88

Onboarding completion rate for new wholesale hires at 89%

Statistic 89

Average training hours per employee in wholesale: 28 hours annually in 2023

Statistic 90

67% of wholesale firms offer digital skills training

Statistic 91

ROI on training investments averaged 4:1 in wholesale

Statistic 92

54% participation in leadership development programs

Statistic 93

Safety training reduced accidents by 32% in wholesale warehouses

Statistic 94

41% of wholesale employees received upskilling in supply chain tech

Statistic 95

E-learning adoption at 73% for wholesale staff training

Statistic 96

29 hours average annual training for sales teams in wholesale

Statistic 97

Micro-credential programs completed by 38% of workforce

Statistic 98

62% of HR budgets for training focus on compliance

Statistic 99

Mentorship pairs trained 1,200 wholesale employees in 2023

Statistic 100

VR training used by 19% of wholesale for logistics simulation

Statistic 101

47% increase in productivity post-training certification

Statistic 102

Diversity training sessions held for 81% of wholesale managers

Statistic 103

On-the-job training preferred by 69% of warehouse staff

Statistic 104

35% of training delivered via mobile apps in wholesale

Statistic 105

Leadership training retention impact: +25%

Statistic 106

52% completion rate for online wholesale compliance courses

Statistic 107

Soft skills training budget up 22% in 2023

Statistic 108

44% of employees seek external certifications reimbursed

Statistic 109

Gamified training boosted engagement by 40%

Statistic 110

Annual training spend per employee: $1,250 in wholesale

Statistic 111

Cross-functional training in 56% of wholesale distributors

Statistic 112

AI literacy training for 27% of wholesale workforce

Statistic 113

Post-training evaluation shows 88% knowledge retention

Statistic 114

Succession planning training for 39% of mid-managers

Statistic 115

Sustainability training mandatory in 33% of wholesale firms

Statistic 116

Coaching programs served 2,500 wholesale leaders in 2023

Statistic 117

61% report skill gaps addressed via training in 2023

Statistic 118

Annual turnover rate in wholesale trade averaged 38.2% in 2023

Statistic 119

Voluntary turnover in wholesale sales roles reached 25% in 2022

Statistic 120

42% of wholesale employees cited better pay as reason for leaving

Statistic 121

Retention rate for warehouse workers in wholesale at 72% after one year

Statistic 122

High-performer retention improved by 18% with mentorship programs

Statistic 123

31% turnover linked to work-life balance issues in wholesale

Statistic 124

Exit interviews show 29% leave for career growth opportunities

Statistic 125

Retention bonus programs reduced turnover by 22% in wholesale firms

Statistic 126

47% of wholesale millennials plan to leave within 2 years

Statistic 127

Employee engagement scores correlate to 15% lower turnover in wholesale

Statistic 128

36% involuntary turnover due to performance in wholesale logistics

Statistic 129

Remote work options boosted retention by 24% in wholesale admin

Statistic 130

52% of departing employees cite poor management

Statistic 131

Tenure average 4.2 years for wholesale sales staff

Statistic 132

DEI initiatives lowered turnover by 19% in diverse wholesale teams

Statistic 133

41% turnover reduction with flexible scheduling in wholesale

Statistic 134

Gen Z retention at 68% with mental health support

Statistic 135

28% of wholesale firms track turnover by department quarterly

Statistic 136

Predictive analytics cut turnover 16% in wholesale

Statistic 137

39% leave for competitor offers in wholesale trade

Statistic 138

Long-tenure employees (10+ years) at 22% of wholesale workforce

Statistic 139

Feedback loops post-exit reduced repeat issues by 33%

Statistic 140

45% turnover in first 90 days for new hires

Statistic 141

Wellness programs increased retention 21%

Statistic 142

34% cite lack of recognition for leaving wholesale jobs

Statistic 143

Internal mobility reduced turnover by 27%

Statistic 144

Seasonal turnover peaks at 55% in wholesale holiday periods

Statistic 145

26% overall turnover drop post-2022 interventions

1/145

Sources

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With nearly half of all wholesale companies struggling to find skilled warehouse workers in 2023 and a quarter of all positions staying vacant for over two months, the human resources function is no longer just about hiring but has become the critical frontline in the battle for talent, retention, and innovation in the modern supply chain.

Key Takeaways

In 2023, 45% of wholesale companies reported difficulty in recruiting skilled warehouse workers due to labor shortages
Wholesale firms saw a 28% increase in time-to-hire for sales positions from 2021 to 2023, averaging 42 days
62% of HR managers in wholesale trade use online job boards as primary sourcing method
Annual turnover rate in wholesale trade averaged 38.2% in 2023
Voluntary turnover in wholesale sales roles reached 25% in 2022
42% of wholesale employees cited better pay as reason for leaving
Average training hours per employee in wholesale: 28 hours annually in 2023
67% of wholesale firms offer digital skills training
ROI on training investments averaged 4:1 in wholesale
Average base salary for wholesale HR managers: $112,000 in 2023
78% of wholesale firms offer health insurance to full-time employees
Bonus payouts averaged 12% of salary in wholesale sales
Women hold 28% of wholesale HR leadership roles in 2023
Ethnic minorities comprise 41% of wholesale workforce
34% of wholesale boards have gender diversity targets

The wholesale industry is aggressively adopting new HR strategies to address persistent labor shortages and retention issues.

Compensation and Benefits

Average base salary for wholesale HR managers: $112,000 in 2023
78% of wholesale firms offer health insurance to full-time employees
Bonus payouts averaged 12% of salary in wholesale sales
401(k) match at 4.2% average in wholesale trade
Paid time off averages 15 days for wholesale non-exempt staff
Gender pay gap in wholesale at 18% for similar roles
55% provide tuition reimbursement up to $5,250/year
Overtime pay compliance at 92% in wholesale warehouses
Equity grants to 24% of wholesale executives
Wellness stipend average $750 annually in wholesale
68% offer dental/vision benefits
Commission structures drive 35% of sales comp in wholesale
Life insurance coverage at 2x salary for 71% employees
42% increased pay equity audits in 2023
Remote work stipend $50/month for 29% firms
ESOP participation in 15% of wholesale distributors
Maternity leave paid at 12 weeks for 37% companies
Performance-based raises averaged 3.8% in 2023
Childcare benefits offered by 22% of wholesale employers
Long-term incentive plans cover 48% managers
65% satisfaction with total rewards packages
Pet insurance added by 14% in 2023
Shift differentials average $2.50/hour in warehouses
401(k) enrollment at 82% for eligible employees
Sign-on bonuses for key roles up 28%, average $8,000
HSA contributions matched by 39%
Total comp transparency reported by 51% HR teams
Women in wholesale earn 82 cents per dollar vs men
Average benefits cost 32% of salary in wholesale
27% offer student loan repayment assistance

Compensation and Benefits Interpretation

Wholesale HR seems to be building a solid, if slightly uneven, package where the generous commissions and 401(k) matches are still shadowed by a stubborn pay gap and spotty family leave.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

Women hold 28% of wholesale HR leadership roles in 2023
Ethnic minorities comprise 41% of wholesale workforce
34% of wholesale boards have gender diversity targets
LGBTQ+ inclusion scores average 3.7/5 in wholesale
52% of firms track DEI metrics quarterly
Black representation in management up 7% since 2020
ERGs active in 63% of large wholesale companies
29% pay gap reduction via DEI initiatives
Hispanic employees at 19% of wholesale sales roles
71% of wholesale HR prioritize unconscious bias training
Disability inclusion hiring up 14%
46% diverse supplier spend targets met
Age diversity: 25% over 55 in wholesale workforce
38% increase in women in STEM wholesale roles
Inclusive culture scores 4.1/5 average
Veteran employees 8% of total workforce
55% DEI budget growth in 2023
Neurodiversity hiring pilots in 12% firms
67% report improved innovation from diverse teams
Asian representation 6% in leadership
49% employee resource groups for women
Belonging index at 78% in top wholesale DEI firms
23% Indigenous employee representation targeted
Mentorship for underrepresented groups up 31%
64% link DEI to performance reviews
Intersectional DEI programs in 27% companies
72% satisfaction with DEI efforts among minorities
Supplier diversity spend $15B in wholesale 2023

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Interpretation

The wholesale industry's DEI garden shows diligent watering with some plots flourishing beautifully, while others are still waiting for the hose.

Recruitment and Hiring

In 2023, 45% of wholesale companies reported difficulty in recruiting skilled warehouse workers due to labor shortages
Wholesale firms saw a 28% increase in time-to-hire for sales positions from 2021 to 2023, averaging 42 days
62% of HR managers in wholesale trade use online job boards as primary sourcing method
Entry-level hiring in wholesale grew by 15% in 2022, driven by e-commerce demand
37% of wholesale recruiters prioritize candidates with supply chain certifications
Female representation in wholesale hiring increased to 32% in 2023 from 28% in 2020
51% of wholesale companies implemented AI screening tools for hiring in 2023
Average cost-per-hire in wholesale sector was $4,200 in 2022
40% of wholesale hires come from internal referrals, highest among industries
Hiring for logistics roles in wholesale rose 22% YoY in 2023
55% of wholesale HR leaders report skills gaps in digital tools among applicants
Campus recruiting yielded 18% of new wholesale graduates in 2023
48% increase in remote hiring for wholesale admin roles post-COVID
Diversity hiring targets met by 65% of large wholesale firms in 2023
29% of wholesale positions unfilled for over 60 days in 2023
Veteran hiring programs adopted by 42% of wholesale distributors
Gig economy workers fill 12% of seasonal wholesale roles
67% of wholesale recruiters use video interviews standardly
STEM-skilled hires up 35% in wholesale tech roles 2022-2023
53% preference for hybrid work in wholesale job applications
Applicant tracking systems used by 78% of wholesale HR in 2023
24% growth in wholesale intern programs in 2023
Multilingual candidates sought for 39% of wholesale sales jobs
46% of hires via social media in wholesale under 35 age group
Pre-employment testing adopted by 61% for wholesale manual labor roles
33% increase in wholesale executive search firm usage
52% of wholesale HR budgets allocated to recruitment in 2023
Passive candidate sourcing up 41% in wholesale
27% rejection rate due to cultural fit in wholesale hiring
Onboarding completion rate for new wholesale hires at 89%

Recruitment and Hiring Interpretation

The wholesale industry's desperate embrace of AI, video interviews, and referral bonuses resembles a frantic modern alchemy, all in a bid to solve the ancient, stubborn problem of actually finding and keeping warm bodies in a tight labor market.

Training and Development

Average training hours per employee in wholesale: 28 hours annually in 2023
67% of wholesale firms offer digital skills training
ROI on training investments averaged 4:1 in wholesale
54% participation in leadership development programs
Safety training reduced accidents by 32% in wholesale warehouses
41% of wholesale employees received upskilling in supply chain tech
E-learning adoption at 73% for wholesale staff training
29 hours average annual training for sales teams in wholesale
Micro-credential programs completed by 38% of workforce
62% of HR budgets for training focus on compliance
Mentorship pairs trained 1,200 wholesale employees in 2023
VR training used by 19% of wholesale for logistics simulation
47% increase in productivity post-training certification
Diversity training sessions held for 81% of wholesale managers
On-the-job training preferred by 69% of warehouse staff
35% of training delivered via mobile apps in wholesale
Leadership training retention impact: +25%
52% completion rate for online wholesale compliance courses
Soft skills training budget up 22% in 2023
44% of employees seek external certifications reimbursed
Gamified training boosted engagement by 40%
Annual training spend per employee: $1,250 in wholesale
Cross-functional training in 56% of wholesale distributors
AI literacy training for 27% of wholesale workforce
Post-training evaluation shows 88% knowledge retention
Succession planning training for 39% of mid-managers
Sustainability training mandatory in 33% of wholesale firms
Coaching programs served 2,500 wholesale leaders in 2023
61% report skill gaps addressed via training in 2023

Training and Development Interpretation

The wholesale industry's training landscape reveals a pragmatic, if slightly predictable, journey where the substantial focus on compliance and safety is steadily—and successfully—being augmented by digital upskilling and leadership development, proving that even in a traditionally hands-on sector, investing in both forklifts and future leaders yields a clear and compelling return.

Turnover and Retention

Annual turnover rate in wholesale trade averaged 38.2% in 2023
Voluntary turnover in wholesale sales roles reached 25% in 2022
42% of wholesale employees cited better pay as reason for leaving
Retention rate for warehouse workers in wholesale at 72% after one year
High-performer retention improved by 18% with mentorship programs
31% turnover linked to work-life balance issues in wholesale
Exit interviews show 29% leave for career growth opportunities
Retention bonus programs reduced turnover by 22% in wholesale firms
47% of wholesale millennials plan to leave within 2 years
Employee engagement scores correlate to 15% lower turnover in wholesale
36% involuntary turnover due to performance in wholesale logistics
Remote work options boosted retention by 24% in wholesale admin
52% of departing employees cite poor management
Tenure average 4.2 years for wholesale sales staff
DEI initiatives lowered turnover by 19% in diverse wholesale teams
41% turnover reduction with flexible scheduling in wholesale
Gen Z retention at 68% with mental health support
28% of wholesale firms track turnover by department quarterly
Predictive analytics cut turnover 16% in wholesale
39% leave for competitor offers in wholesale trade
Long-tenure employees (10+ years) at 22% of wholesale workforce
Feedback loops post-exit reduced repeat issues by 33%
45% turnover in first 90 days for new hires
Wellness programs increased retention 21%
34% cite lack of recognition for leaving wholesale jobs
Internal mobility reduced turnover by 27%
Seasonal turnover peaks at 55% in wholesale holiday periods
26% overall turnover drop post-2022 interventions

Turnover and Retention Interpretation

Wholesale firms are hemorrhaging talent at a staggering rate, which reveals that while employees are loudly fleeing for better pay, poor management, and stalled careers, the industry is quietly learning that solutions like flexible work, clear growth paths, and basic human decency are remarkably effective at plugging the leaks.