Reselling has been around forever—chances are, you’ve already done it. Remember selling baseball cards, comic books, or homemade cookies as a kid? It’s all the same concept: buy (or make) something for a lower price and sell it for more. The key to turning it into a real business, though, is choosing the right products. Many entrepreneurs focus exclusively on whether they would buy this product, or if it’s a really exciting item. Like anything else in business, you need to focus on the numbers. That is your first step. You need something that not only brings in a solid profit margin but also has an audience that actually wants to buy it.
Let’s break this down step by step.
Step 1: Nail Down Your Margins
A good resale product needs to leave you with enough profit after expenses like sourcing, shipping, and platform fees. If you’re selling a $20 product but spending $18 to get it to the customer, you’re doing a lot of work for very little reward. A couple of returns, and you are at a loss.
So how do you make sure there’s enough cushion? One way is to buy in bulk from wholesalers or manufacturers to get the lowest price per unit. Another is to scout clearance sales and liquidation deals—retailers practically give away last season’s stock. Thrift stores and garage sales can also be gold mines if you have a good eye for hidden value. And, of course, if you can work directly with suppliers and cut out the middlemen, your profits can go up even more.
It’s also important to factor in costs you might not have considered such as storage fees, return rates, and payment processing charges. Even a product that looks profitable on paper might lose its appeal if shipping costs are too high or if customers frequently return it.
Step 2: Identify Your Audience & Where You’re Selling
Before you pick a product, you need to know who’s buying it and where they shop. Selling the right product to the wrong audience is a waste of effort.
Think about where you want to sell. Are you listing on Amazon or eBay, where people expect practical and trending items? Or maybe Etsy, where handmade and vintage goods shine? If you’re doing local sales on Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist, big or bulky items might work better since there’s no shipping. Pop-up shops and flea markets are great for unique, impulse-buy products, and social media platforms can be amazing for visually appealing, influencer-driven goods.
Understanding your audience also means recognizing their buying habits. Are they budget-conscious, or are they looking for high-end, exclusive items? Do they shop for convenience, or do they enjoy discovering unique finds? Answering these questions will help you fine-tune your product selection.
Step 3: Find Winning Products
Now comes the fun part—choosing the actual product. A great resale product has a few key traits. First, it needs to have demand. If nobody’s looking for it, you’re going to have a hard time moving inventory. Some products sell year-round, like phone accessories and beauty items, while others have seasonal peaks—think Halloween costumes, summer pool floats, or Christmas decorations.
Another thing to consider is competition. If a product is too common, you’ll end up in a pricing war with other sellers. But if you can add a unique spin—maybe custom packaging, a bundled offer, or a special variation—you can stand out.
You also want something that’s low-cost but looks valuable. Minimalist jewelry, trendy home decor, and DIY kits all fall into this category. Lastly, make sure it’s easy to store and ship. The last thing you want is to deal with fragile or oversized items unless the profit margin makes it worth the hassle.
Another trick is to focus on niche markets. Instead of selling generic phone cases, for example, you could target a specific audience, like gamers or fitness enthusiasts, with cases designed for their needs. The more specific your target market, the easier it is to connect with buyers.
Real-World Example: Bryant Park Holiday Market, NYC
Let’s talk about a perfect example of smart product selection—the Bryant Park Holiday Market in New York City. This outdoor shopping event is packed every winter, and vendors there know exactly what sells.
Picture it: it’s freezing cold, and people are walking around looking for holiday gifts. The smartest vendors capitalize on this. They sell cozy scarves, hot chocolate kits, and handmade ornaments—things that fit the festive mood and make perfect presents. The cold weather is an opportunity too. Hot drinks, hand warmers, and stylish winter accessories become must-haves for shoppers who weren’t planning to buy them but can’t resist.
Impulse purchases thrive here. Custom candles, quirky greeting cards, and festive decor do exceptionally well because people get swept up in the holiday spirit. And since the market attracts both tourists and locals, vendors know that anything easy to carry—small gifts, souvenirs, or unique artisan pieces—will be a hit.
Even vendors who sell premium-priced goods succeed because they create a sense of exclusivity. Shoppers are looking for one-of-a-kind gifts, so they’re willing to pay more for something they can’t find anywhere else. This strategy can be applied online as well—limited edition or handcrafted items tend to command higher prices and generate more interest.
More Winning Product Ideas
Still looking for ideas? Here are some products that check all the boxes for resale success.
Trendy TikTok gadgets always do well—think fidget rings, portable blenders, or heatless curling rods. Subscription box add-ons, like small wellness or self-care items, are great for bundling. Fitness accessories like resistance bands and yoga blocks have steady demand. Pet products are a goldmine—personalized collars, travel water bottles for dogs, and cute pet outfits all sell like crazy. Eco-friendly goods, from reusable grocery bags to bamboo toothbrushes, appeal to the sustainability-conscious crowd. And DIY and hobby kits—whether it’s candle-making, embroidery, or build-your-own terrariums—are an easy way to tap into people’s creativity.
Another solid strategy is capitalizing on trends. Keeping an eye on social media can help you spot viral products early. For example, air fryers exploded in popularity a few years ago, leading to a surge in demand for accessories like silicone liners and recipe books. If you can anticipate the next big trend, you’ll have a head start on your competitors.
Final Thoughts
A great product to resell is one that has a strong profit margin, fits your audience, and aligns with where you plan to sell it. By choosing products with high demand, strong perceived value, and the right timing, you set yourself up for success.
Reselling isn’t just about finding cheap products and flipping them. It’s about strategy—knowing where to source inventory, how to price, and who to sell to. Whether you’re selling online, at a flea market, or in a pop-up shop, understanding your customer and leveraging trends will help maximize your profits. The best resellers aren’t just lucky—they do their research, stay flexible, and adapt to changing markets.
So, what’s your next big resell idea? With the right approach, you could turn a simple product into a thriving business.