Popular wholesale marketplaces in Hong Kong: the beginner's guide to sourcing

Wholesale marketplaces in Hong Kong are a key resource for many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) looking to source products at favourable prices. These platforms offer a wide selection of in-demand goods at wholesale rates, allowing businesses to purchase in bulk and significantly reduce expenses. 

This comprehensive guide offers insights into wholesale marketplaces across Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Thailand, and China. Whether you’re new to sourcing or just getting started, this guide will walk you through the sourcing steps from scratch. You'll also learn how Airwallex’s global financial services can help businesses manage international payments – whether it’s collecting payments from global customers or paying suppliers worldwide.

What are wholesale marketplaces?

There are two main types of wholesale marketplaces – online wholesale websites and physical wholesale markets. Both options allow businesses to purchase large quantities of goods at prices lower than retail. These platforms usually offer a wide range of products, including apparel, electronics, food products, and home goods. Businesses can generate profit by reselling the goods at higher prices to retailers or customers.

Popular online wholesale websites in Hong Kong include hktdc.com Sourcing and Orange Box, which offer convenient and straightforward purchasing processes. However, businesses should pay attention to minimum order requirements, as discounts may only be available when buying specific quantities. Meanwhile, well-known physical wholesale market locations in Hong Kong include Sham Shui Po, Kwun Tong, Cheung Sha Wan, and Lai Chi Kok. Businesses can visit these markets in person to inspect product quality firsthand and directly negotiate with suppliers for better deals.

How to choose the right wholesale marketplace?

Selecting the right wholesale marketplace lays a solid foundation for future business growth. Here are the important factors that entrepreneurs should consider.

First, identify the types of products you need and prepare sufficient funds for sourcing. Then, evaluate and compare the prices, credibility, product quality, and supply capacity of the selected candidates. Lastly, consider shipping and logistics costs – pay close attention to delivery requirements, especially when importing goods from abroad, such as minimum order requirements for certain shipping arrangements.

Step-by-step guide for sourcing products from wholesale marketplaces

We suggest newcomers ‌plan early and follow this detailed guide:

1. Conduct market research to determine product demand and budget: Explore trending products in the market to ensure your selections are competitive. In the meantime, evaluate your financial situation to ensure you have sufficient funds for purchasing inventory.

2. Choose the right wholesale marketplace carefully: Compare the pros and cons of different online wholesale marketplaces or physical wholesale markets. Evaluate the reputation, product quality, and supply processes of the selected candidates. Beginners should research supplier backgrounds in advance to understand their reliability. In addition, consider requesting samples from suppliers to ensure the product's quality meets your expectations.

3. Negotiate pricing, arrange logistics and storage: Confirm pricing and delivery terms with wholesalers, including minimum order quantities, payment methods, and shipping fees. Aim for competitive prices and conditions during negotiations. After finalising the deal, select a reliable logistics company to ensure the smooth delivery of goods to your warehouse.

4. Start with trial orders before bulk purchasing: Place trial orders to test the wholesaler’s reliability and product quality before committing to large-scale purchases. Once confirmed, you can proceed with bulk purchases according to your business needs, while focusing on inventory management and order tracking.

Popular online wholesale marketplaces in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s top online wholesale marketplaces include hktdc.com Sourcing and Orange Box. The former is an online business platform operated by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council. It connects businesses with suppliers across China, Asia, and the globe. The platform is widely used by over 2 million registered buyers and offers a diverse range of products, including watches and clocks, electronics, and health and beauty items. 

Another platform, Orange Box, integrates wholesale services with an eCommerce system. It hosts nearly 2,000 suppliers and brands from South Korea and Japan. Businesses can subscribe by paying an annual membership fee to access wholesale services, which include quality inspection and packaging solutions.

Leading wholesale websites in Japan

SUPER DELIVERY, established in 2002, is one of Japan’s leading wholesale websites. The platform hosts over 3,100 manufacturers offering more than 1.6 million products. It launched its international service, SUPER DELIVERY International, in 2015 and has allowed over 1,700 manufacturers to supply more than 740,000 goods globally. Buyers can conveniently pay for orders using credit cards, PayPal, or international telegraphic transfers.

Leading wholesale websites in mainland China

Mainland China is home to some of the world’s largest wholesale marketplaces, including Alibaba and JD.com, Inc. Both offer an extensive selection of products for bulk purchasing, such as apparel, electronics, and home essentials.

Wholesale marketplaces around the world

Besides online wholesale marketplaces, physical wholesale markets serve as an alternative option for businesses. Many buyers prefer visiting these markets in person to inspect product quality and negotiate directly with suppliers.

Local wholesale marketplaces in Hong Kong: Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong

Common local wholesale markets are located in Sham Shui Po and Kwun Tong. The area that spans the section of Cheung Sha Wan Road between Yen Chow Street and Wong Chuk Street is known as a hub for fashion wholesalers. Apparel there is retailed at prices lower than in boutique stores.

Kwun Tong is characterised by a cluster of factory buildings near the district’s MTR station. It offers a wide variety of products, including outdoor goods, food, beverages, and beauty items. Notable locations like Camel Paint Building offer a distinctly local flavour and provide budget-friendly wholesale options for cosmetics, toys, and clothing.

Wholesale marketplaces in South Korea: Dongdaemun APM Luxe

The Dongdaemun Wholesale Market in South Korea is a fashion hotspot featuring men, women, and children’s clothing, and accessories. The area is home to several shopping complexes, including APM PLACE, APM, and APM Luxe. Among them, APM Luxe is a six-story mall dedicated to trendy women’s fashion. It offers mid-to-high-end pricing and is a go-to destination for sourcing stylish apparel.

Wholesale marketplaces in Thailand: Big C and Pratunam Market

Although Big C is not a traditional wholesale market, it serves as an excellent option for businesses looking for affordable food and daily necessities. 

Pratunam Market is the largest clothing wholesale market in Bangkok. It specialises in low-cost bulk purchasing and often offers discounts for large orders, making it a perfect choice for buyers sourcing budget-friendly products.

Sourcing tips and considerations for beginners

For businesses new to sourcing, the top priority is selecting reliable suppliers. Always request product samples before placing bulk orders to ensure quality standards are met. Additionally, stay updated on market trends and adjust your sourcing strategies flexibly. Another thing to note is compliance with Hong Kong’s regulations, including product safety, labelling, and packaging requirements, to prevent legal and reputational issues. 

How to build strong relationships with suppliers?

A trusting relationship with suppliers is important for business success. Ensure clear and frequent communication. This helps both parties understand each other’s needs and expectations. Make sure you pay your invoices on time. This can build trust and may even lead to better terms during negotiations.

Airwallex – a one-stop financial platform tailored for wholesale businesses

As mentioned above, timely payments serve as a crucial tool for building stable relationships with suppliers. Airwallex facilitates this by offering a suite of financial services, including Global Accounts, FX & Transfers, and cross-border remittance services. Businesses can register for a Business Account for free at any time, anywhere. Application approvals are granted as fast as 48 hours. The whole process comes with no monthly fees or hidden charges, with 90% of payments being processed on the same day.

Airwallex supports efficient and safe remittances to over 150 countries and regions in more than 60 currencies. There are no minimum transaction requirements, allowing businesses to make payments to suppliers swiftly. This helps to reduce cash flow pressures and enhance supplier trust. The platform also offers market-leading exchange rates as low as 0.2% above the interbank rate, helping businesses to lower currency conversion expenses incurred from frequent sourcing activities.

GreenPrice saved six-figure sourcing costs with Airwallex

GreenPrice, a Hong Kong-based retail network specialising in products nearing or past their best-before dates, has to pay bills to overseas suppliers frequently. They conducted an average of 60 to 80 international transfers every month across currencies like USD, SGD, AUD, and KRW. That resulted in monthly remittance costs exceeding HK$10,000 because of high SWIFT fees and unfavourable exchange rates. 

After switching to Airwallex’s cross-border payment services, the company drastically reduced its transaction costs by saving five-figure sums every month through local payment channels, which only cost HK$2–3 for each transaction.

Disclaimer: This article was written in March 2025 based on independent online research. While we strive for accuracy, we have not personally tested all tools or service providers mentioned. The content is for educational purposes only, and readers should evaluate service providers independently. We update our articles every six months. For updates and inquiries, please get in touch with us at [email protected]