Crossword Genius

Retail supplier is Spooner's sole caller (10)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

wholesaler

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

'retail supplier' is the definition.
'wholesaler' can be an answer for 'supplier' (wholesaler is a kind of supplier). I'm not certain of the 'retail' bit.

'spooner's sole caller' is the wordplay.
I cannot quite understand how this works, but
an anagram of 'sole' is 'oles' which is within the answer.
The remaining letters 'whaler' is a valid word which might be clued in a way I don't understand.
This may be the basis of the clue (or it may be nonsense).

'is' acts as a link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for wholesaler that I've seen before include "firm that supplies in bulk" , "Bulk trader" , "One supplying retailers in bulk" , "retailer of large quantities" , "Retailer's supplier" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.
Want a hint initially instead of a full solution? Install my app