Number of Hardware Merchant Wholesalers Businesses in the US (2000–2023)
As of 2023
8,601
hardware merchant wholesalers businesses in the United States
Number of Firms Over Time
Total Employment Over Time
Key Insights
- •The hardware merchant wholesalers industry has declined 21% since 2000 (from 10,893 to 8,601 firms).
- •The peak year was 2003 with 11,448 firms.
- •Recent trend (last 5 years): the industry is shrinking (-7.5%).
- •Employment: 288,681 workers in 2023 (35.4% change since 2000).
- •Estimated 5-year survival rate: 79%.
Year-by-Year Data
| Year | Firms | Establishments | Employment | Entry Rate | Exit Rate | Net Growth |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8,601 | 19,610 | 288,681 | 5.6% | 4.6% | +4.3% |
| 2022 | 8,803 | 19,391 | 276,426 | 6.0% | 5.2% | +3.7% |
| 2021 | 8,938 | 19,236 | 266,397 | 4.5% | 5.0% | +1.1% |
| 2020 | 9,143 | 19,157 | 262,343 | 4.7% | 4.4% | -0.2% |
| 2019 | 9,297 | 19,029 | 261,130 | 4.2% | 4.0% | +1.6% |
| 2018 | 9,435 | 18,932 | 255,349 | 4.2% | 4.7% | +2.8% |
| 2017 | 9,741 | 19,077 | 246,582 | 5.6% | 4.9% | +3.6% |
| 2016 | 9,905 | 18,770 | 241,922 | 5.4% | 5.1% | +3.0% |
| 2015 | 9,986 | 18,735 | 235,289 | 4.1% | 4.5% | +2.6% |
| 2014 | 10,075 | 18,800 | 229,024 | 4.5% | 4.7% | +0.9% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (BDS). Entry/exit rates refer to establishment openings and closings.