Number of Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
6,150
drugs and druggists' sundries merchant wholesalers businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The drugs and druggists' sundries merchant wholesalers industry has grown 24.1% since 2000 (from 4,956 to 6,150 firms).
- •The peak year was 2019 with 6,397 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-3.9%).
- •Employment: 313,385 workers in 2023 (60.8% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 66%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 6,150 | 9,094 | 313,385 | 5.7% | 8.0% | +1.6% |
| 2022 | 6,380 | 9,321 | 311,035 | 7.7% | 10.8% | +2.7% |
| 2021 | 6,361 | 9,552 | 304,553 | 8.3% | 8.9% | +1.5% |
| 2020 | 6,375 | 9,598 | 300,604 | 8.1% | 9.6% | -0.4% |
| 2019 | 6,397 | 9,726 | 302,686 | 8.7% | 7.2% | +0.2% |
| 2018 | 6,239 | 9,553 | 302,152 | 7.6% | 7.2% | -3.6% |
| 2017 | 6,211 | 9,532 | 309,925 | 8.1% | 8.8% | -0.4% |
| 2016 | 6,227 | 9,641 | 314,273 | 9.0% | 8.3% | +0.7% |
| 2015 | 6,141 | 9,495 | 299,904 | 9.2% | 7.7% | +1.2% |
| 2014 | 6,049 | 9,320 | 298,533 | 8.9% | 7.6% | +1.4% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.