The verdict in three sentences
For a wholesaler, an online store is not a showcase: it replaces the phone order book with a per-client catalog featuring pricing grids and credit lines. In Dubai, budget 40,000 to 120,000 AED and 4 to 8 months. The real gain is twofold: orders placed after hours and a drop in entry errors that erode margins.
2026 budget for a B2B wholesale store
Cost depends on catalog size, number of clients and credit management. 2026 ballpark:
| Item | 2026 range (AED) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Scoping and specifications | 5,000 - 13,000 | 3 - 5 weeks |
| Full B2B store | 40,000 - 120,000 | 4 - 8 months |
| Stock/management integration | 13,000 - 40,000 | 4 - 8 weeks |
| Catalog and client migration | 5,000 - 20,000 | 3 - 6 weeks |
| Maintenance (per month) | 1,000 - 2,600 | recurring |
| Managed hosting | 400 - 1,300/month | recurring |
The per-client catalog (each buyer sees only their SKUs and negotiated prices) and credit management (credit ceiling, automatic block) are the features that set a wholesale store apart from consumer e-commerce.
Key features and margin impact
Each feature addresses a concrete loss from manual operation.
| Feature | Problem solved | Estimated impact |
|---|---|---|
| Per-client catalog | Wrong prices over the phone | -90% pricing errors |
| Volume pricing grids | Discounts applied by hand | margin protected |
| Credit management | Credit-limit overruns | -70% late unpaid |
| 24/7 ordering | Orders lost after hours | +10-20% volume |
| Stock integration | Unflagged stockouts | -80% cancellations |
An entry error on a wholesale order often means 300 to 1,300 AED of lost margin; cutting them alone funds part of the project.
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Mini case study
Mr. Ngassa, who runs a food wholesale business in Dubai, serves 180 retailers. B2B store with stock integration: 85,000 AED. Maintenance: 2,000 AED/month, or 24,000 AED/year. First-year cost: about 109,000 AED.
Before, 4 reps took orders by phone, with a 6% error rate on 2,400 orders/year, or 144 errors at 600 AED of lost margin: 86,400 AED/year. By cutting that rate fivefold and capturing 15% more after-hours orders (360 orders at 1,450 AED basket, 12% margin), the annual gain exceeds 125,000 AED. Payback in under 11 months.
FAQ
Can each client have their own catalog? Yes: allowed SKUs, negotiated prices and volume discounts display automatically on login, eliminating phone pricing errors.
Can I manage credit and outstanding balances? Yes, with a per-client ceiling and automatic block on overrun. This cuts late unpaid invoices by roughly 70%.
What is the launch timeline? 4 to 8 months depending on catalog size and stock integration. SKU migration is the longest task.
How much is maintenance? Between 1,000 and 2,600 AED/month depending on traffic and the number of integrations to monitor.
Are after-hours orders significant? Yes: 10 to 20% of volume can shift to slots when no rep was reachable, revenue previously lost.
Let's scope your project. Give us your client count, catalog size and credit rules, and we will price the store. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
