Since the early twenties, the global economy has entered a period of instability, which, starting with individual countries, gradually assumed a geopolitical character. A trend has emerged in global economic development associated with a whole series of negative factors that have a detrimental effect on the business climate, increasing risks and complicating business planning. In the current conditions, it is necessary to highlight the main trends that have recently directly or indirectly affected the behavior of the wholesale trade sector (in general and in the category of industrial equipment). The authors analyze the industrial equipment market and highlight the main trends that affect the development of wholesale trade: a decrease in business activity because of sanctions and the pandemic. The digitalization of the economy, the transition to green economy had a significant impact on the market. These trends lead to changes both in the manufacturing sector, in trade and logistics. Wholesale trade companies should understand to which sphere of activity the main flows of goods and capital are shifting, where the next technological breakthrough is expected. Another factor influencing the industrial equipment market is the continuation of the import substitution policy, which began with the first wave of anti-Russian sanctions in 2014. The sphere of production of machinery and equipment has a high share of foreign added value in final consumption. The state understands the importance of the problem, and the revival of large Russian enterprises has begun: the priorities are mechanical engineering, telecommunications, energy, the military-industrial complex, and agriculture.