A supplier is a person or company that provides goods or materials to others who need them. When a bakery runs low on flour, sugar, and eggs, they order more from their supplier. When a toy store needs to restock its shelves before the holidays, suppliers deliver boxes of toys, games, and puzzles.

Every business depends on suppliers to keep operating. A pizza restaurant needs suppliers for cheese, tomatoes, and pepperoni. A bookstore needs suppliers who print and deliver books. Even your school has suppliers: someone provides the paper, pencils, cafeteria food, and cleaning supplies that keep everything running.

In a chain of businesses, suppliers often work behind the scenes. You might buy a bicycle at a local shop, but that shop bought parts from various suppliers: one for tires, another for chains, and another for frames. Those suppliers might have their own suppliers providing raw materials like rubber and steel.

Without reliable suppliers, stores would have empty shelves and factories would stop producing. Being a good supplier means delivering quality products on time and at fair prices.