If you’re looking for a business model that allows you to own a retail store without having to lease space for inventory, worry about a supply chain, and shipping cost variances, a shop that uses drop shipping may be the perfect opportunity for you! This business model consists of three key players: you (the retailer), the manufacturer, and the customer. Your responsibility will primarily be marketing and making sales. After each sale, you simply send the order to your supplier. Your supplier then ships the product from their warehouse straight to your customer’s doorstep. If you are thinking about exploring a niche in the drop shipping industry, read on for a few unique ideas!
Remember to keep all these options at your fingertips with our free Small Business Startup app—available for both Apple and Android. Start with a quick quiz to instantly find the best opportunities in your region.
Mobile Devices & Accessories
It’s hard to believe that the share of Americans that own a smartphone is now 85% Every year, this number continues to grow, and it shows no signs of slowing down. In fact, the smartphone market size is expected to grow from $484.81 billion in 2022 to $792.51 billion by 2029! If you are thinking about exploring this opportunity, now is the perfect time. There are hundreds of mobile phone accessory drop shipping opportunities to explore. You could specialize in one type of phone accessory or offer everything from smart phone cases and stands to earphones, earbuds, screen protectors, quick chargers and wireless speakers.
Baby Equipment & Toiletries
Did you know that the United States is home to 11.4 million babies? As of 2022, this represents 3.4% of the nation's population! Additionally, the U.S. is home to 23.4 million children who are five years old and younger. For entrepreneurs looking for a business characterized by steady demand, this market is an excellent option. It is estimated that kids influence up to $500 billion in household spending in the U.S. every year, and the two biggest parts are baby equipment and toiletries.
As a whole, the global baby products market size was valued at $214.13 billion in 2021. This market is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.7% from 2022 to 2030. Baby wipes, changing pads, teething toys, and of course, bath toys! Some things never change except these toys have LED lights.
Pet Supplies
Americans really do love their pets! In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association conducted a survey that found that 85% of dog owners and 76% of cat owners think of their pets as family. With information like that, it’s easy to understand why this unique segment of buyers is often willing to pay extra for the right products. In this industry, quality matters—from food to toys and everything in between. As of 2022, 70% of U.S. households owned a pet. With a market size that large, drop shipping opportunities in this industry are worth sniffing out.
Yoga Mats & Accessories
After being locked away for months on end, the health and wellness industry surged once Americans were able to leave their homes again. Since gyms have reopened, this trend has continued to grow. However, one niche market in the health and wellness industry stands out among the rest: Yoga. According to market research, Yoga is one of the largest segment in the fitness industry. Because of that, sales of Yoga gear, mats, leggings, and accessories have become an enormous market. From 2020 to 2025, the yoga accessories market size is expected to grow by $4.98 billion.
Home Decor and Furnishings
Today more than ever, buyers are using online stores to purchase their home décor and furnishings. Since the pandemic, this trend has only increased. This segment presents endless opportunities for drop shipping entrepreneurs. Here, your store can include everything from curtains to tapestry to tablecloths and beyond. In 2019, the global home decor market was valued at $616.6 billion and is estimated to grow to $838.6 billion by 2027.
Break Into the Drop Shipping Industry Today
We hope this guide has helped inspire you to break into the drop shipping industry. Keep in mind that the above list is only the beginning. Whether you’re selling perfume, men’s personal care, electronics, or kitchen gadgets, the opportunities in this industry are seemingly endless. With that said, remember to take your time to explore all your options. Selecting a trusted drop shipping supplier is a critical step in this process but the more popular the supplier, the more competition selling that item.
Rather than going out on your own, sometimes, it makes more sense to invest in an existing opportunity that offers the recognition of a well-established brand and a proven track record of success. These are called “Franchise Opportunities.” To learn more, start by exploring a few franchise opportunities in the drop shipping industry, below! If anything catches your interest, download the free Small Business Startup app to keep all these options at your fingertips—available for both Apple and Android.