Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant Wholesalers — Business Survival Rate

An estimated 72% of electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment merchant wholesalers businesses survive their first 5 years, based on U.S. Census Bureau Business Dynamics Statistics. The annual business closure rate is 6.4%.

72%
5-Year Survival Rate
+3.4%
Net Growth Rate
15,343
Total Firms
1,082
Annual Firm Deaths

Is Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant Wholesalers a Good Business to Start?

With a 72% five-year survival rate, electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment merchant wholesalers has an above-average survival rate compared to the national average of roughly 50%. This makes it a relatively safe industry to enter — businesses here tend to find stable demand and sustainable economics.

The annual exit rate of 6.4% is lower than many sectors, suggesting that once established, these businesses have staying power. That said, lower failure rates often correlate with higher barriers to entry or established competition.

Entry vs. Exit Rates

Annual rate of new businesses opening versus existing businesses closing.

Entry Rate (new businesses)5.3%
Exit Rate (closures)6.4%

Net negative: more businesses closing than opening (-1.1 pp spread).

Job Creation & Destruction

12.8%
Job Creation Rate
9.4%
Job Destruction Rate
+3.4%
Net Job Growth

The industry is adding jobs faster than losing them — a positive sign for both workers and new business owners looking to hire. Total employment: 526,000 workers across 15,343 firms.

Want to know how much electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment merchant wholesalers businesses actually make?

See full revenue benchmarks for Electrical Apparatus and Equipment, Wiring Supplies, and Related Equipment Merchant Wholesalers

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment merchant wholesalers businesses fail?
Approximately 28% of electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment merchant wholesalers businesses fail within their first 5 years. The annual closure rate is 6.4%, with 1,082 firms closing permanently in 2023.
Is the electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment merchant wholesalers industry growing or shrinking?
The electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment merchant wholesalers industry is currently growing with a net job creation rate of +3.4% per year. New businesses are entering at 5.3% while 6.4% close annually.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Business Dynamics Statistics (2023). Survival rate estimated from annual exit rates.