The new year is just around the corner and now is the perfect time to start developing some online store ideas into a business for 2019. This week on FounderU we’ve got a roundup of stores that fill a niche with a range of exciting products.
7 Booming Online Store Ideas for 2019
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Athleisure Products
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Maternity Items
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Artisanal Coffee Products
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Essential Oils and Diffusers
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Male Grooming Products
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Zero Waste Products
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High Quality Pet Products
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Athleisure Products
Athleisure wear is casual, comfortable clothing designed to be suitable both for exercise and everyday wear. As an entrepreneur you can think more generally about an athleisure-oriented niche, though. This winter, consider building a lifestyle brand that starts with workout clothing and fitness leggings and expands to carry smart watches, detox products or protein powder, wireless headphones, and really any other product involved in a healthy lifestyle.
Demand for athleisure products has steadily increased over the past several years. Likewise, Google searches have consistently trended upward. With the success of brands like Lululemon, the market is somewhat crowded. Think about what it will take for your brand to stand out.
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Maternity Items
Though maternity items are the kind of product that’s always in demand, the past several years have seen an explosion of online maternity boutiques. Whether it’s women looking for products for themselves, or family and friends preparing for a baby shower, these items are a great way to start building a business online, or expand your existing brand. In practice, this could involve selling maternity clothes, pillows, baby clothing, blankets, cribs, or any of a huge range of products for both baby and mom.
Already running an online clothing store? Consider offering a line of maternity-wear items or baby clothes alongside your usual products.
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Artisanal Coffee Products
The aughts have seen an artisanal coffee revolution. Single origins beans, lighter roasts that highlight unique flavor profiles, and latte art are all relatively new developments for this timeless beverage. Cold brew coffee, in particular, has seen an explosion of popularity over the last five years. While cold brew may be a seasonal drink, there’s no denying that artisanal coffee is a trend that many consumers are treating themselves to year round.
Don’t think that you need to have your own roaster to get in on this craze, though. Consider offering local beans, cold brew rigs, French presses, ceramic mugs, sustainable coffee thermoses, and more. There are so many ways to get in on the coffee buzz- from coffee body scrubs, to coffee-themed stationary or clothing.
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Essential Oils and Diffusers
Essential oils are another product that show a strong seasonal demand- in fact, they’re a top-selling product on Amazon. While they have shown gradual growth over the past five years or so, they are generally speaking a strong seller and the perfect kind of item to buy online. We all know what peppermint smells like, for example, and would generally feel comfortable buying the product without physically seeing it, but it’s significantly cheaper to purchase these kinds of products online than to buy from a boutique store.
However, essential oils are big business. The technology to produce them is expensive, so making your own from scratch might not be an option. Instead, consider creating your own custom blends that align with your brand’s message. You can sell the essential oil blends alone or add them to a carrier oil for a ready-to-use body care oil.
Another option is to make your online store a finely curated resource for aromatherapy enthusiasts. Become a retailer for the top-of-the-line essential oils from brands with a wide following, and offer a selection of most popular essential oil diffusers. If you’re worried about beating the lowest prices on Amazon, consider bundling the diffusers with a selection of essential oils as a beginner pack.
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Male Grooming Products
Beard oil, disposable razors, body wash, cologne- the list goes on. Manscaping is hotter than ever right now and it’s a great time to get in on the trend.
Compared to the enormous body and wellness industry for women, products aimed at men in this niche have much, much lower competition. Brands like Dollar Shave Club, however, have proven that there is strong demand for these kinds of items.
Think about your messaging. How will you capture the attention of potential customers and guide them through the process all the way to check out? Spend some time getting a handle on the imagery and visual style best-suited to your niche.
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Zero Waste Products
From bamboo toothbrushes to reusable lint rollers and earth-friendly detergents, the eco-friendly trend in consumer products is a great way to make an impact and a profit at the same time. You may be able to create these products yourself, or you may need to find a reliable way to source them.
Regardless, sustainability-oriented products give you a chance to be sharply targeted in your marketing. Explore how your product relates to the broader consumer world. Does it save energy? Reduce waste? Or is the process of creation cleaner and most sustainable than similar items?
Dryer balls are a great example of a product that is both practical and eco-friendly. By cutting down drying time for clothing, they save money and lower overall energy-use.
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High Quality Pet Products
Luxury and bespoke pet items are a huge market that’s only set to grow over the next year. Whether it’s dog food completely free of preservatives, or fun, unique toys, there are a ton of ways to break into this market.
Think about the needs you have with your own pets. What do you wish you could affordably use to simplify and improve your lives together?
There you have it! Ready to kick into high gear and build an exciting new business for 2019? Selz simplifies and streamlines the process of building an online business- and, even better, you can start with a 14-day free trial to see if the platform is right for your needs.
What’s holding you back? Invest in yourself with a business to start the new year off right.
2 responses to “7 Booming Online Store Ideas for 2019”
Wow never thought of doing a custom essential oils blend..that’s some great branding right there.
Thanks, Lika, we think so too! Thanks for checking out FounderU and commenting.