By Nermeen Nabil Khear 
Are you looking to start a business or expand your income stream? Buying items in bulk and reselling them is a popular strategy among small business owners and entrepreneurs. Not only can this approach save money through wholesale pricing, but it also offers impressive profit margins if done right.
Curious about the best things to buy in bulk and sell? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know, from market insights and product ideas to sourcing suppliers and how to sell. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to refine your reselling strategy, you’re in the right place.
Understanding the Bulk Resale Market
Buying bulk items to resell usually means purchasing large quantities of a product at once, usually at a discounted price. This can be done through wholesale suppliers or by buying excess inventory from retailers or manufacturers. The goal is to then resell these items individually or in smaller bundles for a profit.
Reselling bulk items has plenty of benefits, but it requires careful planning. First, let’s look at why this approach works and the challenges you might face.
Why Buy Bulk Items to Resell?
Bulk items resale can be beneficial for several reasons:
- Cost savings: Wholesale rates significantly reduce the price per unit, allowing for wider profit margins.
- Higher profits: Bulk purchasing reduces overhead, leaving more room to profit after resale.
- Consistent inventory: Having stock readily available prevents “out of stock” situations, keeping your customers happy.
Challenges of Buying Bulk Items to Resell
Reselling in bulk requires strategies to overcome these key challenges:
- Storage: Do you have space to store hundreds of items at a time? Think about proper storage for product safety and organization.
- Upfront investment: Buying in bulk means investing heavily upfront. Ensure you’ve done your homework on potential demand before committing.
- Market demand: Will customers consistently buy the product? Research trends to avoid holding onto inventory that won’t sell.
Factors to Consider Before Buying Bulk Items to Resell
Before purchasing hundreds of units, ask yourself these questions to set your business up for success:
Assess Market Demand
Are people actively searching for or needing this product? Use tools like Google Trends or Amazon Best Sellers to determine if your product is trending.
There are also product trend research tools that can help you identify the popularity and demand for your product. For example, Niche Scraper, Jungle Scout, Helium 10, Radarly, AliShark, and Exploding Topics.
If you’re thinking about using product research tools, keep in mind that they can vary in pricing and features. For example, some offer trial periods while others don’t. And some tools, like Jungle Scout or Helium 10, are better suited if you’re planning to sell on marketplaces.
Not ready to invest in product research tools? No problem! There are plenty of free ways to do your research — it might take a little more time, but it’s totally doable. To make it easier for you, we’ve put together a blog post on how to find trending products to sell online.
How to Find In-Demand Products to Sell Online
Learn how to identify customer preferences and find trending products you can sell online or at a brick-and-mortar store.
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Evaluate Storage Space
When buying bulk items to resell, you’ll often be purchasing hundreds or even thousands of units at a time. You need to make sure you have enough space to store everything. This could mean renting a storage unit, using your garage or basement, or even storing items in your spare room.
Some online marketplaces also offer fulfillment services, where they will store and ship your products for you for a fee. This can be a convenient option if you don’t have the space for storage, but it’s important to factor in these costs when determining if buying bulk is the right choice for your business.
If you decide to use or rent your own storage space, make sure it’s organized, secure, and well-maintained. For perishable or fragile items, think about climate-controlled storage. Just be sure to factor that cost into your pricing so it doesn’t eat into your margins.
Calculate Your Profit Margins
Storage costs are not the only expenses you need to consider when calculating profitability. You’ll also need to factor in wholesale costs, shipping fees, marketing expenses, and any other operational costs.
It’s important to ensure that the resale price of your product not only covers these expenses but also leaves enough room for a healthy profit.
Aiming for a minimum margin of 30-50% is a good rule of thumb, as this ensures you have a buffer for unexpected costs and still achieve a sustainable bottom line.
Research Reliable Suppliers
The success of your bulk items resale strategy hinges largely on your choice of supplier. Look for suppliers who strike a balance between offering high-quality products and maintaining competitive pricing.
Take the time to research their reputation by reading reviews and testimonials from other buyers, and don’t forget to ensure they have a reliable shipping and delivery process to avoid delays.
Popular platforms to source bulk items include well-known B2B marketplaces like Alibaba, Global Source, TopTenWholesale, TradeKey, Made-in-China, and IndiaMART.
These platforms offer a wide range of products to choose from, allowing you to find the right items that align with your target market. Additionally, many of these marketplaces provide tools to vet suppliers, ensuring you partner with trustworthy and experienced vendors.
Alternatively, consider sourcing from local manufacturers for a unique selling point and to support your community.
Top Items to Buy in Bulk and Resell
Some general guidelines when choosing what items to buy in bulk to resell are to select products that have consistent demand, are easy to ship and store, and have a good profit margin.
With that in mind, here are the top items that are ideal for bulk buying and reselling. We’ve organized these products by niche to make it more convenient for you.
Household Essentials
Cleaning supplies, toiletries, and paper goods are always in demand. Bulk-buying these products creates a reliable source of daily staples for your customers. Plus, these are cheap products to resell, offering a great opportunity to boost your profit margins.
Glass straws are a great example of a popular product in this niche, but their fragile nature demands careful packaging to ensure safe delivery.
Glass straws aren’t new, but their popularity is growing, as shown by the trend research platform, Exploding Topics
Pet Supplies
Pet owners are always shopping for toys, treats, leashes, and other necessities. Some pet products are especially great for buying in bulk, for example, biodegradable poop bags or organic pet treats (just go for non-perishable options). These products not only cater to the current trend towards eco-friendly and sustainable living but also meet a constant demand from loyal pet owners.
Slow-feeder dog bowls are one of the latest trends in pet supplies, as highlighted by Google Trends
Health & Beauty Products
Skincare, cosmetics, hair care, and wellness items sell quickly, thanks to their popularity online. Beauty enthusiasts are often avid buyers of trendy or repeat-use products.
If we’re getting specific, lash clusters are good things to buy in bulk and sell. Their lightweight and compact size makes shipping more affordable. Since customers need to replenish them often, this product naturally encourages repeat business, making it a smart choice for resellers.
Lush clusters captured significant interest, as highlighted by Exploding Topics
Comparable products include disposable cosmetic tools, such as sponges, cotton swabs, and makeup wipes. These items can also be sold in bulk to beauty professionals or individual customers.
Beauty tools like eyebrow shapers, tweezers, and makeup brushes are also hot-selling items that you can add to your inventory. They have a high perceived value and can be easily shipped worldwide.
Food & Beverage Items
Food and beverages are always in demand, making this niche a smart choice to explore. But when it comes to perishable goods or items needing special storage, buying in bulk can get tricky.
Overstocking means there’s a higher chance of products expiring before they’re sold, which could lead to losses—something no one wants!
Instead, go for beverage essentials, like coffee pods or matcha powder, or non-perishable snacks, like protein bars. These are inexpensive and consistent sellers, especially when marketed for convenience.
Matcha is trending on TikTok, according to insights from the TikTok Creative Center
Electronic Accessories
Phone cases, chargers, laptop sleeves, and earbud cases never go out of style.These products have widespread appeal and, being typically affordable, are an great choice for bulk purchasing and resale.
A popular product in this niche is the magnetic selfie stick, a photography accessory that holds a smartphone magnetically for hands-free photos.
Magnetic selfie sticks aren’t for every store, but they’re a good addition if you sell smartphone accessories
Office Supplies
Home offices need pens, paper, printer ink, and other basic supplies on a regular basis to keep things running smoothly. Notebooks, sticky notes, and file organizers are also supplies that can be bought in bulk for resale.
You can also consider stocking up on fun stationery items such as stickers, washi tapes, colorful markers, and a variety of products for creative journaling, like fountain pens or decorative stamps. These items cater to a growing demand from the creative community.
Explore top-rated products across popular marketplaces to discover which items customers consistently repurchase
Home Decor Items
Picture frames, wall hangings, and small decor accents attract customers looking to spruce up their living spaces affordably.
Of course, not all home decor items are great for buying in bulk to resell. Some items may be too large or fragile for easy storage and transport.
However, smaller items like scented candles or cases for decorative pillows are perfect for buying in bulk and reselling. These items are relatively small and lightweight.
Additionally, many home decor products have a high perceived value and can be marked up significantly when resold. This allows for a higher profit margin compared to other wholesale products.
If you’re looking for something trendy, solar garden lights are getting popular lately. However, their demand tends to be seasonal, as shown in the graph below.
Demand for solar garden lights appears to be seasonal, so keep that in mind when deciding to add this product to your store
Fitness Gear
With the growing popularity of fitness culture, there’s a high demand for affordable workout gear. From resistance bands to yoga mats, there is a wide variety of fitness equipment that can be purchased in bulk.
As with any niche on this list, don’t go for the most obvious option but rather the one that can get you more margin after reselling. For example, equipment like a walking pad is not the best choice to buy in bulk. Instead, go for accessories such as water bottles, towels, and gym bags.
Explore Amazon’s popular section to discover what products are attracting consumers right now
Clothing & Accessories
Like any niche on this list, not every clothing or accessory item is ideal for bulk purchases and resale. For example, seasonal items like winter jackets or summer swimsuits may not be the best choice, as they may become outdated before you can sell them all.
However, if you focus on classic and versatile pieces that have a timeless appeal, bulk buying can definitely be worth it.
Consider investing in basic essentials such as plain t-shirts, socks, and jeans in various sizes. These are everyday items that are always in demand and will never go out of style.
Trendy accessories like hats, scarves, and sunglasses are other things to buy in bulk and resell in this niche. They usually have a lower cost but high profit potential.
Explore TikTok and Pinterest for the latest trendy accessories. These platforms are helpful for identifying micro trends that often experience skyrocketing demand.
Pinterest Trends reveals a growing surge in popularity for platform flip-flops
Party Supplies & Seasonal Items
Streamers, balloons, and themed decorations are fantastic, cheap items to resell, especially for those looking to capitalize on seasonal demand. These products are easy to source, highly affordable, and appeal to a wide range of customers planning parties or events.
Sales tend to peak during holidays or seasonal celebrations when demand for decorations skyrockets. For example, holiday ornaments and festive lights fly off the shelves as December approaches, while summer gear like pool toys, banners, and themed party supplies are a big hit during the warmer months.
Use the Pinterest Trends tool to explore seasonal event planning trends and identify which items are currently in demand
Where to Find Bulk Items to Resell
Now that you’ve identified products to sell, where do you source them? Here are the best places to find items to buy in bulk and sell, and kickstart your reselling venture.
- Online B2B marketplaces: Platforms like Alibaba and Global Source offer a wide range of goods at wholesale prices.
- Wholesale suppliers: WholesaleCentral, Faire, and OrangeShine provide consistent supplies for popular goods.
- Trade shows and expos: Attend industry events to discover hot trends and negotiate directly with manufacturers.
- Direct from manufacturers: This is a viable option for unique or exclusive products.
Where to Sell Your Bulk Items
Once you’ve found stuff to buy in bulk and resell, it’s time to find customers! Here are the top options for selling your products online.
Create Your Own Online Store for Bulk Items Resale
Having your own ecommerce site gives your business identity and control.
Platforms like Ecwid by Lightspeed make it easy to set up an online store, manage inventory, and process payments seamlessly. With a variety of professionally designed templates tailored to different niches, you can create a stunning online store in no time.
No matter your niche, Ecwid offers a variety of customizable templates to help you quickly create a professional business website
With Ecwid, you can also take advantage of various marketing tools like email campaigns, social media integrations, and SEO optimization to reach potential customers and drive traffic to your site.
Another advantage of having your own online store is that you have complete control over the customer experience, from product presentation to the checkout process. This allows you to provide a seamless and personalized shopping experience for your customers, which can help build brand loyalty and increase sales.
List Bulk Items to Resell on Popular Marketplaces
Expand your reach by selling on platforms like Amazon, eBay, or Walmart. These marketplaces come with massive, pre-existing audiences looking for new products, which makes it easier for you to attract potential customers.
Plus, marketplaces typically have built-in marketing and advertising tools, which can help boost your sales and reach even more customers.
If you set up your online store with Ecwid, you can seamlessly sync it with leading marketplaces. This allows you to sell on both your website and popular platforms, giving you the best of both worlds.
Plus, you’ll streamline your workflow by managing all your products and orders from a single dashboard, saving you valuable time.
Turn Bulk Items Resale Into a Thriving Business
Buying in bulk and reselling isn’t just about profit margins and market trends. With the right strategies in place, you can build a successful and scalable business. Take the time to pick the right products, find a reliable supplier, and identify your unique niche.
Remember, the business world rewards the bold. If you’ve been contemplating this exciting resale opportunity, now is the perfect time to leap in. Start by stocking up on the best wholesale items to sell, and set up your online store with Ecwid by Lightspeed today.
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The post 45 Best Things to Bulk Buy and Sell first appeared on Ecwid | E-Commerce Shopping Cart.
This articles is written by : Nermeen Nabil Khear Abdelmalak
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