Introduction
Have you ever wondered if you could buy from your distributors and suppliers online? Instead of limiting your business to local options or, worse, your handful of contacts.
Yes, absolutely!
And that would fall under the umbrella of B2B e-commerce as B2B refers to Business to Business.
If you want to know more about 10 great B2B e-commerce examples, how they help D2C brands, and which top B2B online business in India can help your brand thrive, keep reading.
What is B2B E-commerce?
It involves companies buying and selling products or services online instead of directly selling them to end customers. This vastly differs from the popular B2C model, where businesses sell to online shoppers directly.
B2B vs B2C–
IndiaMART is an example of a B2B ecommerce platform that hosts products ranging from construction machinery to apparel to homeware products. A boutique textile manufacturer in Surat supplies premium fabrics to fashion labels like FabIndia via IndiaMART. In the above example, the sales cycle is typically long owing to manufacturing timing, shipping of large order volumes, and product quality being the main deciding factor.
If not for IndiaMART, the seller would only sell to buyers limited to local areas or personal contacts and probably would never secure an esteemed client with ongoing potential.
Also Read: Everything You Need to Know About B2B Business Models
B2B eCommerce in India: An Overview
The B2B online sector in India is projected to grow to $200 Bn by 2030, suggests a report.
The reasons for the B2B eCommerce growth in India-
- Increased Internet connectivity
- Cheap smartphone access
- Government policies like ONDC or PLI
- Support for digital payment infrastructure like UPI
- Technological developments in logistics and supply chain
Type of B2B Online Marketplaces in India
The B2B ecommerce companies in india are divided into 3 categories –
- Product Marketplaces
These marketplaces allow wholesalers and distributors to register as sellers and list their products for smaller vendors to buy in bulk. These marketplaces offer products across electronics, apparel, FMCG, industrial supplies, other raw materials, etc.
The prime examples of product marketplaces are IndiaMART, Moglix, TradeIndia, etc.
The main benefit of these platforms is that they offer a wider assortment and selection. Plus, the platforms offer convenient procurement with built-in features like secure payment or financing support.
Every 2 in 3 buyers report that the core challenge of buying from these platforms is efficient delivery, as bulk orders need systemised logistics at affordable rates without delays. The solution to successful logistics and supply management for your business is picking the best courier aggregator in India.
- Service Marketplaces
These platforms allow businesses to outsource operations, marketing, accounting, IT or legal tasks to other service-based businesses. These platforms help businesses hire experts for a short time instead of hiring full-time employees on payroll.
The b2b examples in India are Urban Company (For business), Sulekha, freelance marketplaces, etc.
The top benefit of service marketplaces is cost savings and tech-enabled solutions. The obstacles are standardisation of services and maintaining quality in service delivery.
Also Read: The Concept of E-commerce Business Model
- Digital Infrastructure Marketplaces
Buying and selling online are not the only activities that form a part of an e-commerce transaction. Support functions like building an online store, delivery, payment processing, order processing, etc., all contribute towards building a successful e-commerce business. Digital Infrastructure marketplaces enable businesses to run smoothly by helping with these essential tasks.
B2B business examples for digital infrastructure are Shopify, iThink Logistics, Paypal, Dukaan, etc. Lower initial investment and support for streamlined operations are the core benefits of these platforms.
However, companies need to ensure seamless integration with different technology solutions. The key is to pick a comprehensive option that helps in faster COD remittance, courier services, and overall logistics and supply management.
Now that we are clear about the different types of B2B e-commerce marketplaces let’s get into the details of successful B2B examples that have ruled Indian e-commerce.
Top 10 Examples of B2B eCommerce in India
- IndiaMART: It links suppliers and customers within 56+ industries and across more than 98,000 product categories. The platform showcases around 11 cr products and covers 11 major cities in India, which is rightly well-known for its broad reach.
It operates on a freemium model and uses the latest AI technology to match sellers with buyers. It offers an enhanced lead management system, secure payment channels, and verified badges for sellers to promote credibility and security.
- Udaan: Udaan, founded in 2016, caters to wholesalers, distributors and suppliers of all sizes, particularly small and medium businesses. It supports the trade by providing logistics support along with credit services of up to 5 lakh.
Available via an app, the platform supports 25K sellers and 30 lakh retailers with product categories ranging from medicines, food, apparel, and electronics.
- Flipkart Wholesale: Owned by Wal-Mart India, Best Price Flipkart Wholesale offers consumer goods, home appliances, dairy and fresh foods, and other grocery items at wholesale rates. The app enables smaller resellers, institutes and offices, and hotels and cafes to buy at discounted rates.
The attractive features of the app include demand forecasting, supply chain support, and cash flow management. They also operate via 29 offline stores across 9 cities.
- Amazon Business: A strong global business to business ecommerce example, its gross merchandise volume is expected to cross over $83 billion this year. Amazon’s B2B division provides businesses with a simplified platform for large purchases in categories like Industrial supplies, office supplies, stationery, and electronics.
Built-in features like analytics covering reports on order fulfilment, spending, shipments, etc., help businesses streamline their daily operations. Other unique features include GST invoicing and compliance reports, which help businesses manage their business effectively.
- Industrybuying: A leader in industrial supplies, this platform provides more than 20 lakhs of products from 15000 reputed brands. The categories range from power tools, automotive machinery, hardware, and agricultural tools to electrical tools.
It offers up to 5 lakh of financing to the buyers with a 0% interest rate. Other stand-out features include buyer protection, smooth delivery, and 7-day return options.
- Power2SME: Large enterprises get better prices for raw products because they generally place giant order volumes. Small and medium enterprises don’t get this benefit. Power2SME is a buying club for SMEs, enabling smaller players to get profitable pricing based on large demands. The raw products included are Steel, polymer, yarn, and chemicals.
The marketplace has 2 arms – SMEShops that offer finished industrial goods instead of raw materials. FinanSME helps secure loans for purchase bills via any registered bank or NBFC at the best rates.
- Moglix: Moglix has over 800,000+ SKUs across 1,500+ categories from 5000+ brands. It serves industries like manufacturing, construction, healthcare, and agriculture. The platform offers no-cost EMI, Request for Quotes, and a seamless supply chain.
It also offers exclusive in-app benefits to help its customers get the best value for money. Using a reward program called MogliCoin, it promotes long-term relations with its customers.
- OfBusiness: OfBusiness (OFB) is a top B2B raw material platform specialising in Steel, Aluminium, Agriculture, Petroleum, Energy, Polymers, Chemicals & more. It plays the dual role of supplier and manufacturer, with USD 2.5 billion in annual revenues, over 17,000 employees, and a growing global footprint. Its financial arm, Oxyzo, provides working capital solutions suited for SMEs, promoting healthy cash flow and scalability.
The platform has built a solid ecosystem for SMEs, offering unique features like live prices and news updates from the B2B world. Plus, a software solution helps optimise factory operations, right from purchase to quality audits.
- NinjaCart: A dedicated agri-tech platform that has built a trusted trade network for all participants in agriculture, from farmers to traders, to wholesalers, to all the way to exporters.
The platform is an all-in-one solution for commerce, fulfilment, and finance. It operates via a group of products like NinjaCart, NinjaKisan, NinjaKirana, NinjaMandi, and NinjaGlobal.
- ExportersIndia: ExportersIndia.com, founded in 1997, provides a common platform for manufacturers, suppliers, importers, and exporters to showcase products and connect with global buyers. It provides global exposure, instant inquiries, and access to potential buyers.
A massive product catalogue with easy-to-search features and thousands of registered buyers and sellers make this platform one of its kind. The unique features of this platform include searching suppliers by country and free registration.
Also Read: Difference between B2B and B2C order fulfillment
How B2B platforms in India help D2C brands
D2C brands in India are growing fast, skipping traditional retail channels to sell directly to customers. However, this growth is fueled by online B2B marketplaces in India.
Here’s why they are essential.
1. Affordable Sourcing & Bulk Purchasing
D2C brands need raw materials, packaging, and inventory at competitive prices. B2B marketplaces help brands:
- Source directly from manufacturers
- Buy in bulk at lower costs
- Compare multiple suppliers for the best deals
This keeps production costs down while ensuring quality.
2. Faster, More Reliable Logistics
Managing deliveries is one of the biggest challenges for D2C brands. B2B logistics providers offer –
- Multi-carrier shipping for faster delivery
- Warehousing solutions for better inventory management
- Real-time tracking for improved customer experience
With reliable logistics, brands can cut delivery times and boost customer satisfaction. Here’s how to pick the best courier aggregator in India.
3. Access to Manufacturers & White-Labeling
Many D2C brands don’t manufacture their own products. B2B platforms connect them with:
- OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) for production
- Private-labeling for custom branding
- Scalable manufacturing without heavy investment
This lets brands focus on marketing and growth while outsourcing production.
4. Financial Flexibility for Growth
B2B platforms often provide:
- Credit options for bulk orders
- Flexible payment terms like Net 30, Net 60
- Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) or EMI options
These features help D2C brands manage cash flow and invest in scaling their business.
Whether it’s sourcing materials, streamlining logistics, or expanding distribution, B2B platforms help D2C brands function efficiently.
Also Read: All You Need To Know About B2B Lead Generation
The Future of B2B E-Commerce in India
B2B e-commerce in India is booming, and this is only the beginning. 1 in 5 companies will build an e-commerce channel this year, making online trade the norm rather than the exception. Back in 2021, the market was worth $5.6 billion, but by the end of 2025, it’s expected to hit a massive $60 billion.
Smarter logistics, blockchain for secure transactions, and AI-powered recommendations will help businesses thrive in a growing market. B2C trends like personalisation and dynamic pricing will find their place in B2B as well. Omni-channel experience will matter more in the near future.
Clearly, the opportunities are endless, and staying on top of these trends will give you a serious edge in this fast-changing market.
Looking to grow your e-commerce business with end-to-end logistics support? Get in touch today!
