Convenience reigns supreme for modern-day consumers, making online platforms the preferred place to shop for nearly 3 billion people worldwide. By the end of 2024, analysts predict the ecommerce retail market will be worth a whopping $8.1 trillion. 

The ability to place orders without having to lift a finger (okay, so maybe just a teensy bit of finger lifting and thumb scrolling is required, but you get the point) presents opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs to create a thriving business by reselling on Amazon. 

Looking to secure your slice of the digital pie? Then you’ll find this handy list of the best things to resell on Amazon helpful. 

Why resell on Amazon? 

For ecommerce entrepreneurs dreaming of lucrative passive income streams, reselling on Amazon offers big buck potential for several reasons:

• Low barrier to entry — Reselling requires minimal upfront investment, allowing you to dip your toes into entrepreneurship without breaking the bank.
• Unrivaled market access — Amazon commands the lion’s share of the market. For example, of the $1,118 billion ecommerce retail sales in the US alone in 2023, nearly 40% were Amazon transactions. 
• Scalability — The vastness of the Amazon customer base allows you to tap into niche markets and reach customers you might not be able to access otherwise.
• Amazon’s Fulfillment Services (FBA) — Sellers can outsource storage, packaging, and shipping to Amazon’s warehouses to save time, resources, and ensure efficient order fulfillment.
• Consumer trust — By leveraging the reliability of the Amazon brand, you benefit from increased credibility, leading to higher conversion rates and repeat business.
• Streamlined selling — It’s easy to create and manage listings, track inventory levels, and monitor sales performance on Amazon’s seller dashboard.
• Low involvement — You don’t need to handle customer inquiries, returns, or refunds yourself, freeing up more time to focus on profitability by finding more of the best things to buy and resell on Amazon. 

How to find the best things to buy and resell on Amazon

Finding the best things to resell on Amazon is essential if you’re to build a successful e-commerce operation. Here’s a few top tips on how to navigate the marketplace and identify items with the highest potential for profitability.

Identify products with consistent demand

Conduct thorough market research to gauge the popularity of potential products and identify emerging trends. Look for products that fulfill a need or solve a problem for consumers, ensuring sustained interest and sales over time. 

Assess competition and profitability

Aim for products with manageable competition levels, allowing you to carve out a niche within the market. To ensure a healthy return on investment, you’ll need to calculate profit margins with pinpoint precision, considering factors like sourcing costs, Amazon fees, and shipping expenses. 

Utilize market research tools

Analytics software takes the effort out of assessing product demand, competition levels, pricing trends, sales performance, etc., helping you track key metrics to identify lucrative opportunities and make data-driven decisions. Examples include:

• Jungle Scout
• CamelCamelCamel 
• Helium 10
• Amazon’s in-house reporting system

Forge relationships with wholesalers

Building strong partnerships with suppliers can facilitate exclusive deals, discounts, and priority access to in-demand products, giving you a competitive edge in the marketplace. So it’s always worth reaching out to reputable wholesalers to start a conversation and negotiate favorable terms.

Attend networking events and trade shows

Networking with suppliers and fellow resellers can provide valuable insights and opportunities for collaboration. Trade shows, in particular, present excellent potential for networking while also allowing you to explore product offerings and source more inventory. 

Explore clearance and liquidation sales

Keep an eye out for clearance events hosted by retailers, manufacturers, and liquidation companies. Picking up surplus or discontinued items for a fraction of the retail cost can give you a significant bottom-line boost.

The 10 best items to resell on Amazon

We’ve done the legwork for you to identify a definitive list of the best things to resell on Amazon. 

1. Electronics and accessories

Electronics, gadgets, and accessories are staples of the online retail world – and for good reason. Thanks to rapid technological advancement, consumers are constantly seeking the latest innovations and upgrades. 

From smartphones and tablets to smart home devices and wearables, the demand for electronics remains consistently high. Plus, there are ample opportunities for savvy entrepreneurs to upsell accessories like:

• Bags, cases, and screen protectors
• Chargers
• Headphones and earbuds
• Mounts and stands 

2. Books

Both physical and digital books are popular on Amazon. Yes, you read that right. Physical turn-the-page books are actually still a thing. Moreover, they can be very lucrative! 

Amazon’s expansive catalog covers almost every topic and genre imaginable, and while bestsellers and popular fiction titles often dominate the market, there’s also a significant demand for:

• Niche genres
• Textbooks
• Rare finds
• Collector’s editions

3. Toys and games

With options to suit every age group and interest, the toy and game market offers a wealth of Amazon reselling opportunities. Shrewd resellers capitalize on seasonal trends like holiday shopping and back-to-school seasons to maximize sales and profitability. 

From cult classics and collectibles to educational toys and trendy new releases, there’s always something that consumers are clamoring to get their hands on. Some of the best things to resell on Amazon include:

• Board games
• Action figures
• Trading cards
• Interactive learning kits

4. Fashion and apparel

From Balenciaga to bargain bin chic and everything in between, Amazon’s fashion marketplace offers endless possibilities for resellers to curate collections that cater to diverse tastes and preferences. Trendy streetwear, stylish evening wear, cozy loungewear, sophisticated business attire…the world is your oyster! 

However, keeping your finger on the pulse is essential. After all, the fashion world is fickle, and today’s ‘in thing’ rarely stays ‘in’ for long! If you’re looking for long-term reliability, the best things to buy and resell on Amazon include:

• Branded clothing 
• Vintage pieces
• Maternity wear
• Accessories

5. Home and kitchen appliances

Amazon’s home and kitchen appliance categories present profit-positive opportunities to tap into consumer desires for a lifestyle based on convenience and efficiency. Of course, essential appliances like coffee makers, blenders, toasters, and electric kettles are indispensable items and will always be in demand.  But there’s much more to it than that.

Thanks to the post-COVID home dining revolution, there’s always a new trend or innovative appliance, tool, or gadget capturing buyer attention. Specific product examples include:

• Air fryers
• Spiralizers and slicers
• Crock pots
• Waffle makers

6. Beauty and personal care products

Ever reflected on the details of aging gracefully? It’s not really our jam, we must admit. And for the record, we happen to think you look just awesome as you are. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t millions of consumers worldwide itching to snap up deals across the skincare, makeup, and personal care categories.

The prevalent trend toward prioritizing self-care and wellness has customers flocking to Amazon to part with their dollars. Examples of top sellers include:

• Skincare products like cleansers, moisturizers, serums, and sunscreens.
• Makeup staples like foundation, lipstick, mascara, and eyeshadow.
• Wellness products like vitamins, essential oils, aromatherapy products, and relaxation aids. 
• Personal care items like hair care products, grooming essentials, body washes, and deodorants. 

7. Fitness and outdoor equipment

Every year sees its fair share of fitness trends, and 2024 promises to be no different. Pickleball, anyone?  No, we hadn’t heard of it before either. 

Nevertheless, the rising interest in home fitness and outdoor activities has sparked a surge in demand for equipment and workout gear, reflecting growing consumer commitment to maintaining healthy and active lifestyles. Some of the best things to buy and resell on Amazon include: 

• Exercise machines like treadmills, ellipticals, stationary bikes, and rowing machines.
• Fitness accessories like resistance bands, yoga mats, foam rollers, and wearable trackers.
• Outdoor gear for hiking, camping, backpacking, and other adventures. 
• General sporting goods like balls, bats, rackets, and clubs.

8. Pet supplies

Pet owners are willing to part with inordinate amounts of cash to keep their furry companions happy, well-groomed, entertained, and well-fed. We know that for a fact because we’re guilty of it ourselves, and our own pets are spoiled rotten (seriously though, my cat really needed that tartan bow tie!). 

Along with everyday staples like kibble, wet food, and treats, there’s a whole marketplace encompassing holistic wellness solutions and apparel for pets. A few top-selling examples include: 

• Nutritional supplements
• Chew toys and dental care products
• Grooming supplies
• Clothing and accessories 

9. Hobby and craft supplies

Hobbyists and DIY enthusiasts are always on the lookout for high-quality supplies and materials to fuel their creative projects, and Amazon’s vast marketplace presents a treasure trove (and sometimes a rabbit hole) of options. 

There’s a diverse array of items you can buy and resell to help the diverse arts and crafts community unleash their creativity and bring their imaginative projects to life. Some of the best things to resell on Amazon are:

• Painting supplies like high-quality paints, brushes, and canvases.
• Supplies for jewelry making, knitting, and embroidery.
• Woodworking tools and model-making supplies.
• Accessories like cutting tools, rulers, and stencils.

10. Office and school supplies

Office products and school essentials are year-round necessities for students, professionals, and households alike, and there’s a constant demand for products that facilitate productivity and learning. 

When researching the best items to list, it pays to look for supplies that combine functionality, quality, and affordability. After all, office and school supplies are rarely ‘for show’ items. They’re purchased out of necessity rather than a burning desire to own the best pen or desk organizer in the neighborhood. Top sellers include:

• Stationery
• Writing supplies
• Organizational tools
• Laptop and tablet accessories

How to resell successfully on Amazon

Of course, finding the best things to resell on Amazon doesn’t necessarily equate to a flurry of orders and a pocket full of cash. If only it were that simple! 

Beyond finding the right products, you’ll need to spend a little time and effort honing your listings, deciding on a pricing strategy, and working out how to manage inventory. 

Product listing best practices

Here’s the lowdown on how to compose Amazon product listings that resonate and convert.  

• Product titles — Write transparent, jargon-less titles using simple language that outlines key attributes like brand, color, size, material type, etc.
• Product descriptions — Use headers or bullet points for easy scanning, being sure to articulate the benefits of the product and what problems it solves. 
• Photography — Clear, well-lit images improve conversion rates, so investing in professional, high-quality photographs is essential. 
• Keywords — Each listing should include relevant search terms and phrases that potential customers are likely to use when searching for your products.

Learn more about how to list products on Amazon to maximize profits. 

Pricing considerations

There’s much more to reselling on Amazon than buying items and slapping a new price tag on them based on what you estimate to be a decent markup. Before you even reach for that digital price tag gun, you’ll need to:

1. Determine an accurate cost per unit — Remember that the price you paid for each item isn’t the figure to focus on. You also need to factor in costs for storage fees, shipping, import duties, taxes, customs clearance, packaging materials, and any other associated expenses.
2. Keep an eye on your competition — Constant vigilance is required to remain competitive. You’ll need to continually monitor competitors’ pricing strategies and adjust your approach accordingly. The software tools we mentioned above are super helpful for helping you track price fluctuations and stay informed about market trends.
3. Select an appropriate pricing strategy —There are two primary schools of thought here: dynamic and value-based pricing. Dynamic pricing algorithms automatically adjust your prices based on market conditions, whereas value-based propositions justify higher prices based on factors like quality, unique features, or bundling options. 

Managing Inventory

While Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) offers convenience and scalability, it doesn’t come for free. A range of additional fees apply, including:

• Monthly inventory storage fees
• Long-term storage fees
• Inventory placement service fees
• Inventory removal fees

You’ll need to weigh up the benefits of FBA carefully to evaluate whether it’s realistic. The alternative is a fulfillment by merchant (FBM) model, which provides more control over inventory but requires handling shipping and customer service responsibilities.

Whichever inventory management system you use, you’ll need to implement efficient practices to avoid stockouts or overstock situations by tracking inventory in real time and setting suitable reorder points. 

Learn more about Amazon FBM Vs. Amazon FBA and the best inventory management software for Amazon sellers. 

The best things to sell on Amazon: Growth awaits!

No matter what you choose to sell, embracing the transformative power of technology is a must for any digital entrepreneur aiming for superstellar ecommerce glory. 

Whether it’s analyzing market and competitor trends, assessing price points, or managing the day-to-day logistics of purchases, deliveries, and returns, the most successful Amazon resellers all rely on dedicated software solutions to save valuable time and resources and streamline processes.  

Need help with building your ecommerce tech stack or managing inventory? Request a demo today to learn how to get going and keep growing with Linnworks.