Topps is a well-known brand that has produced baseball cards for decades. They hold the exclusive license to produce Major League Baseball cards and remain one of the largest and most trusted manufacturers in the collectibles industry. If you’re a hobby shop owner, card shop, or wholesaler looking to stock your store with baseball cards for resale, Topps offers attractive wholesale pricing options to meet the needs of various retailers.
Topps distributes its cards through wholesale hobby distributors, who then sell to local hobby shops, card shops, and other smaller retailers. The major hobby distributors that carry the Topps baseball card line include Alliance, GTS Distribution, and PCA. These distributors purchase cards directly from Topps at the manufacturer’s wholesale price and add a markup when reselling to individual shops. Typically, distributors require a minimum initial order of $1,000-$2,000 worth of mixed products to set up an account.
For shops just getting started or those with smaller inventory needs, Topps offers a direct wholesale program. Some key things to know about ordering directly from Topps wholesale include:
Minimum order is $500 of mixed products
Pricing is 30-40% off suggested retail price, depending on product and order size
Free shipping is available on orders over $750
Topps provides POS materials like displays and sales sheets
Wholesale orders can be placed online through Topps’ e-commerce site
Topps releases new baseball card products throughout the year in both wax pack and retail box formats. Some of their most popular and best-selling series for wholesalers include:
Topps Series 1 (February/March release) – The flagship set kicks off the new season with rookie cards and team designs.
Topps Series 2 (May/June release) – More rookie cards plus chase parallels and short prints to boost interest.
Topps Update Series (September release) – Highly anticipated drop with season stats and call-ups from the minors.
Topps Chrome (October release) – Premium refractors and parallels drive demand for this prized parallel set.
Topps Heritage (April/May release) – Nostalgia driven designs focused on a specific season from the past.
Topps Transcendent Collection (November high-end release) – Ultra-rare 1/1 cards fetch big bucks from collectors.
In addition, Topps offers specialty licensed sets like Topps Allen & Ginter which have appeal beyond just baseball fans. All products are shipped sealed in wax packs, boxes, or factory sets/displays ready for retail shelves. Topps backs their products with extensive marketing and also supports secondary sports card shows throughout the year.
For local hobby shops and card stores, carrying the Topps MLB line provides several key advantages over competitors. As the official MLB license holder, Topps dominates baseball card sales each year. Familiar and trusted designs resonate strongly with collectors both casual and serious. New releases from Topps spark excitement and drive foot traffic into stores. Plus, the ability to special order specific quantities from Topps direct helps control inventory and minimize risk.
With the baseball season in full swing each spring and summer, Topps products remain a staple for any shop catering to collectors. The company’s long legacy and dominance over baseball cards make their wholesale program an appealing option well worth consideration. Whether ordering from a hobby distributor or straight from Topps, stocking quality Topps products delivers value and helps any retailer tap into the booming baseball card market.
