Shopify B2B: Is it Finally Ready for Enterprise?

Introduction

Historically, Shopify was a Direct-to-Consumer (DTC) darling. B2B merchants often had to use third-party apps or separate platforms like Magento. That has changed. Shopify B2B is now a native, first-class citizen on Shopify Plus, allowing you to run both DTC and B2B from a single admin.

Key B2B Features

1. Company Profiles

You can truly model B2B relationships. Create a "Company" entity with multiple locations and buyers. Assign specific payment terms (e.g., Net 30) and tax IDs to the company, not just an individual email.

2. Price Lists and Catalogs

Stop hacking discount codes. Assign specific "Catalogs" to companies.

• Wholesale Price: 50% off retail.
• VIP Price: 60% off.
• Exclusive Products: Show products only to B2B buyers.

3. Quantity Rules

Enforce your wholesale logic:

• "Minimum order quantity: 10 units"
• "Must buy in multiples of 5" These rules appear directly on the product marketing page.

4. Vaulted Credit Cards

Allow repeat B2B customers to keep a card on file for quick reordering, or issue Draft Orders that they can pay later via invoice.

Distributed vs. Dedicated Store

You have two choices:

• Blended Store: B2B and DTC customers shop on the same URL. B2B buyers log in to see their special pricing. This simplifies inventory management.
• Dedicated Store: A separate expansion store purely for wholesale.

Conclusion

Shopify B2B has matured rapidly. For 90% of wholesale businesses, it offers enough functionality to replace legacy ERP portals, providing the sleek UX of a DTC site with the complex logic required for B2B.