ProRetail · Simulator
Wholesale vs. DTC Simulator
Higher margin, or more volume?
Assumptions
DTC profit / mo
$30,000
Wholesale profit / mo
$40,000
Winner
Wholesale
| Channel | Margin / Unit | Monthly Profit |
|---|---|---|
| DTC | $30 | $30,000 |
| Wholesale | $10 | $40,000 |
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Built by The Crimson Bench · Educational model, not financial advice
About the Wholesale vs. DTC Simulator
Compare selling direct-to-consumer against wholesale to see which channel makes more profit at your volumes.
It's built for directional planning: change any assumption and watch the whole projection move, the way a seasoned operator pressure-tests a plan before committing capital. Everything is computed live in your browser — nothing is sent anywhere.
How the Wholesale vs. DTC Simulator Works
The model takes 5 assumptions and returns 3 headline metrics plus a full breakdown. Here is exactly what goes in and what comes out — no black box.
The Inputs
| Assumption | Example value |
|---|---|
| Unit cost | $10 |
| DTC price | $40 |
| DTC units / mo | 1,000 |
| Wholesale price | $20 |
| Wholesale units / mo | 4,000 |
Worked Example
Every figure below is produced by the live model using the example assumptions above. Change any input in the simulator to see your own numbers.
DTC profit / mo
$30,000
Wholesale profit / mo
$40,000
Winner
Wholesale
| Channel | Margin / Unit | Monthly Profit |
|---|---|---|
| DTC | $30 | $30,000 |
| Wholesale | $10 | $40,000 |
The Operator's Read
DTC keeps the full margin and the customer relationship; wholesale trades margin for volume and shelf space you couldn't reach alone. Most durable brands run both — DTC for margin and data, wholesale for scale. Educational only.
Assumptions & Limitations
- •The model is deterministic: it projects your inputs forward with clear arithmetic, not a Monte-Carlo or probabilistic forecast. It shows one scenario at a time — run several to bracket a range.
- •Defaults are illustrative benchmarks, not your business. Replace every field with your real numbers before drawing conclusions.
- •It abstracts away taxes, financing, seasonality, and one-off events unless a field explicitly captures them. Treat the output as a directional estimate.
- •This is an educational tool, not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Validate real decisions with a qualified professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does the Wholesale vs. DTC Simulator calculate?
Compare selling direct-to-consumer against wholesale to see which channel makes more profit at your volumes. It takes 5 assumptions — Unit cost, DTC price, DTC units / mo, Wholesale price, Wholesale units / mo — and returns DTC profit / mo, Wholesale profit / mo, Winner, along with a full projection table you can export.
How do I use the Wholesale vs. DTC Simulator?
Enter your own figures in the input fields above — Unit cost, DTC price, DTC units / mo, and the rest. The model recalculates instantly and shows the resulting DTC profit / mo and full breakdown. No sign-up needed to run it.
Is the Wholesale vs. DTC Simulator free?
Yes — you can run the simulator and see the headline results for free. Toolkit Pro unlocks the full projection table, Excel/PDF export, saved scenarios, and AI analysis: $180/mo, $1,728/yr, or unlock any 3 simulators for $20.
What's the difference between this and a free calculator?
A calculator answers one question. This simulator models the full picture — multiple linked assumptions, a projection table, and scenario comparison — the way an operator would build it in a spreadsheet, but instantly.
Who built the Wholesale vs. DTC Simulator?
The Crimson Bench's Ivy League-educated operators — the same people we deploy into C-suites. This is the self-serve version of a model they'd build inside a live engagement.
Is this financial advice?
No. The Wholesale vs. DTC Simulator is an educational modeling tool for directional planning — not financial, investment, tax, or legal advice. Validate any real decision with a qualified professional.
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The Crimson Bench · Est. 2002 · Founded in New York City
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