Amazon is considered one of the most prominent online marketplaces globally. It started as an online bookseller at a time when the concept of purchasing anything from the Internet was entirely novel for many, and now, after two decades, the company has become more valuable than any other online marketplace.
When Did Amazon Gain Popularity?
Amazon made its first sale in July 1995, sending one very inquisitive customer the book “Fluid Concepts & Creative Analogies: Computer Models of the Fundamental Mechanisms of Thought.”
In May 1997, Amazon went public with its IPO and began trading on NASDAQ under “AMZN.” Later that year, the company introduced one-click shopping, which allowed customers to streamline their online shopping experience.
Amazon launched its first international sites, Amazon.co.uk (UK) and Amazon.de (Germany) in October 1998. The company now serves customers through at least 11 diverse retail websites spanning the globe.
Amazon has come a long way from being solely a bookstore. In 2003, the company added new categories, including sporting goods, outdoor equipment, gourmet food, health, and personal care products.
Although Amazon.com famously started as a bookseller, Bezos argued from the start that the site was not just a retailer of consumer products. He asserted that Amazon.com was a technology company whose business was simplifying online purchases for consumers.
Top-Performing Items on Amazon
As we apprehend that the E-Commerce industry continues to evolve daily, it has become quite challenging to discern the top-performing products on Amazon. Below is a list presenting some top categories on Amazon that are generating substantial revenue for their sellers.
Although there are millions of items being sold on Amazon, this list highlights the top items from a few major categories.
1. Toys & Games
- Leapfrog 100 Animals Book
- Disney Pixar Toy Story Aliens Figures
- LEGO City Advent Calendar 60268 Playset
Products Included in This Category
- Memory games
- Colorful toys
- Card games
- Inflatable lounges
- Wooden game kits
- Playsets
- Outdoor kits
- Lego blocks
- Board games
- Jigsaw puzzles
Toys & Games is one of the categories that still manage to generate high sales on Amazon. Unsurprisingly, it consistently remains at the top of the list of best sellers. Since kids are the epitome of the most discerning market consumers, this category holds immense potential.
However, it is crucial to stay updated with current trends, as it proves to be a lucrative category. Gaming kits, video games, learning games, golf balls, cricket bats, ludo, chess, brain games, and other memory games perform exceptionally well.
Thus, it is essential to tailor the Amazon store with popular, educational, and innovative games to ensure a high ROI (Return on Investment).
2. Electronics
- Fire TV Stick streaming Media Player with built-in Alexa
- Echo Dot 3rd Generation Smart Speaker
- Fire TV Stick 4K streaming device
Products Encompassed in This Category
- Smart devices
- Portable speakers
- Back cases
- Cables and cords for computers
- Power banks and chargers
- Headphones
- Bluetooth devices
- Memory cards
- USB devices
- Printers
- Screen guards
It is impossible to imagine our times without technology today. Electronic accessories, smart devices, and gadgets are essential components of our lives.
As long as customers want to stay up-to-date with their devices, a category like “technology” will always feature on the list of top-selling niches and never become obsolete. With a hectic lifestyle, it has become exceedingly challenging for people to dart from one electronic shop to another.
This is where larger e-commerce giants like Amazon come into play. People tend to opt for reliable and renowned online platforms. However, be sure not to go too high-end. Include items that are not only useful in day-to-day lives but also fall within two-digit figures.
3. Video Games
- $10 PlayStation Store Gift Card
- Super Mario 3D All Stars
- $10 Xbox Gift Card
Items Encompassed in This Category
- Gaming gift cards
- Sony PlayStation
- Microsoft XBOX
- Nintendo
- Wireless controllers and game adapters
- Gaming accessories
- Game charge kits and docks
It is quite revealing that two-thirds of the items in this section are ‘gift cards’ and not specific games. Here, we can observe social trends influencing best-selling items on Amazon. Customization and personal choice in the world of business are very popular. When people buy a gift for a teenager, for instance, they do not need to dictate which game to like but instead provide them with a choice to decide. Items that enable this kind of flexibility are witnessing a surge in demand.
As far as Super Mario for Nintendo goes, this is a ‘classic game’ on a classic ‘console’, and these kinds of retro games will always remain popular.
4. Camera & Photo
- Wyze Cam 1080p HD Indoor Smart Camera
- Wyze Cam Pan 1080p Pan/Tilt/Zoom WIFI Indoor Smart Home Camera
- Carson MicroBrite Plus LED Lighted Pocket Microscope
Items Included in This Category
- Instant films
- Instant click cameras
- Camera accessory kits
- Photo papers
- GoPro
- Home security cameras
With the increasing demand for Amazon photography and advertising thereof in the social sphere, the digital camera business has come into the limelight. On the other hand, applications and services like photo editors have bolstered the market.
According to the latest figures, sales in the camera market have grown by 7.1% from 1.7%. Currently, cameras featuring interchangeable lenses continue to have a significant impact on the market.
While the sale of DSLR cameras has decreased by 9%, their non-reflex bodies (rangefinders, compact cameras, and mirrorless) have recorded a 50.6% growth in sales.
5. Books
- Rage
- Disloyal
- Dune
Items Included in This Category,
- Cookbooks, diet books, and recipe books
- Biographies and memoirs
- Children’s books
- Comics
- Fictional books
- Suspense and thriller books
Even though this is the digital age, it does not imply that “hardcover books” are outdated. They are classics and will continue to be, no matter how digitized this world becomes. One might not realize their significance unless they are a book lover.
There are countless readers in this world, and not surprisingly, physical books not only account for a substantial portion of sales but also persist in the list of Amazon’s best selling items in terms of categories.
To achieve good sales and profits, it is essential to select products that are not only economical to ship and reasonably priced but also in demand. Additionally, opt for products that can be easily discovered by prospective shoppers.
We hope you enjoyed reading this article and found it informative and engaging. Your comments below are always appreciated. Let us know about your favorite top-selling items on Amazon or what Amazon item trends will gain popularity this year.
