Summer is here and that means pools, parties, and profits. Now is one of the best times of the year for online entrepreneurs to make money.
People are traveling, graduating from school, and making life transitions. All of this means that more gifts are being purchased and everyday necessities are in higher demand.
In this guide, we’ll discuss why you need to start selling summer products now, what makes a good summer product, and some ideas you can incorporate into your business today.
What Makes a Product a Summer Dropshipping Product?
Really, any product that specifically is for a summertime activity, and one that you can dropship (i.e. order from another supplier and have them ship it for you), is considered a summer dropshipping product.
But, if you really want to make good money with dropshipping this summer, look out for a few key things:
- Is it easy and cheap to ship? Think inflatables or clothing.
- Can it only be used during the summer? These would be things like swimming trunks or beach bags.
- Does it look fun? Hawaiian shirts and pretty dresses will catch consumers’ eyes.
Why is Summer a Good Time for Dropshipping?
Summer is a great time for dropshipped products because most likely, people are buying them for limited-time use. Which means they’re not as worried about brand recognition as they would be with an item that they use all year round.
For example, they’re probably not looking for an ultra premium outdoor game set if they’re just buying it for a family vacation. Plus, they want to get their hands on it fast - so they order online rather than venturing to a brick-and-mortar store.
The 27 Best Dropshipping Products to Sell in Summer 2024
Here are the best products to sell this summer.
1. Sunglasses
What better way to protect your eyes and look stylish under the scorching sun than sunglasses? These accessories increase in demand during summer and they’re expected to achieve a revenue of $25.83 billion in 2024. Their light weight and minimal production cost make them easy and profitable to sell.
2. Swimwear
People won’t pass up the opportunity to buy new apparel every year. Provide them some unique designs, fun prints, or even ones that have functional features like lining and you’ll see the buyers flood in. Offer bundle discounts or other promotions and you’re sure to have happy buyers.
3. Beach Towels
Beach towels are an essential swimming item that keeps you dry after your dip. These functional pieces are easy to ship, so it’s a low-risk investment. Providing attractive offers like giving away a gift like a free tote bag with every purchase increases the chance of customers buying more from you than other places like Amazon.
4. Waterproof Phone Cases
No one wants to get their expensive phones wet, and waterproof phone cases ensure that they stay dry. With everyone by the water more, these reliable mobile add ons will have a high demand. Sell options that fit various phone types, have funny designs, and vibrant colors so you can cater to different customers.
5. Picnic Blankets
People who love hanging by the beach always need picnic blankets to protect their drinks, food, and other items from the hot sun. Offer choices made from nylon or polyester, as they’re more fit for hot weather. Unique designs and fun patterns will let you market them at a higher price than the generic items you find on Amazon.
6. Hawaiian Shirts
Hawaiian shirts are breathable tops that guys can wear when they just want to walk around and relax on the beach. Brands like Kahala are quite expensive, so selling them at a reasonable price with wider sizing options will give you a leg up.
7. Outdoor String Lights
Outdoor string lights or “fairy lights” are a charming way to illuminate your home. Solar-powered fairy lights aren’t only good for the environment, but they save your customers from the hassle of finding an outlet to plug them in. Make sure they’re packed properly when you ship them as they are fragile.
8. Cooler Bags
People will always need ways to cool off under the summer heat, so provide them with something to keep their drinks ice cold. Insulated cooler bags come in various forms like totes, backpacks, and wheeled ones.
9. Outdoor Speakers
Who doesn’t love listening to some tunes while relaxing by the pool? Bluetooth speakers that are built with sturdy materials and have waterproof features will keep high-end equipment safe from damage. These make them viable items to sell during the swimming season. The best part? Countless factories make them, so you’re sure to find high-margin products.
10. Pool Floats
Nothing brings more relaxation to swimming than pool floats. They come in quirky shapes and forms and peak during summer. Plus, they’re lightweight, making them highly profitable items to sell. Sell ones that have eye-catching builds or put them in bundles. It’s also important to off choices that people of all ages can enjoy.
11. Sun Hats
Sun hats are more than just fashion statements. They offer additional protection against the sun. Sell products that come in different colors and brim sizes, so you can cater to a wider audience. Bigger brim sizes can protect people from head to shoulders and others come in UPF-rated fabrics.
12. Water Bottles
The brand Hydroflask skyrocketed the demand for reliable water bottles. All you really need to do is capitalize on that volume and provide better features. Offer customization features like engraving names or personal logos on the flask and you’ll give people a reason to buy from you.
13. Grilling Tools
Every dad’s go-to hobby for a family outing is the grill. The station is their comfort place and no one’s allowed to touch the meat, except for the cook. Make their experience more convenient by giving sets from spatulas to heat-resistant gloves. If they’re all packed in one convenient bag, even better!
14. Hammocks
Hammocks provide another relaxing way to lounge outdoors, especially if you love camping. They’re easy to pack and set up. If you can provide options that come in different fabrics and colors, then you’ll have a competitive advantage over other stores.
15. Travel Packs
Gone are the days when travelers carry huge luggage, especially for summer vacations. Travel packs are far more convenient to carry around and they have plenty of pockets for organization. They’re one of the best items to sell and most are durable enough to handle getting tugged around during shipping.
16. Pool Toys
Give people a reason to make their pool activities more fun and exciting by providing them with games to play around with. The more unique toys you offer, the more customers will want to buy directly from you rather than marketplaces. Just be mindful of the bigger items’ shopping fees.
17. Portable Projectors
Liven up your summer experience by watching Netflix outdoors through portable projectors. They’re compact, have built-in speakers, and come with USB cable compatibility. Offer the smallest options, ones that can easily fit into a tote bag or a backpack.
18. Outdoor Games
The beach isn’t just for swimming or getting a tan. People love to play sports there, too, whether it’s volleyball or badminton. Litter your store with tons of options for outdoor games, from rackets to nets.
19. Beach Bags
Save everyone from the hassle of going back and forth between the shore and the hotel by offering handy beach bags. Cotton-made options are the best ones to sell as they’re soft and won’t chafe against the skin. They’re also easy to pack and you can sell them for a higher price since they’re made with premium fabrics.
20. Lightweight Apparel
No one’s going to shy away from new clothes in summer, especially breathable gear. Provide them with shirts and tank tops that have moisture-wicking features. Just be aware, any athletic gear is going to have a lot of competing brands, so make sure you have an edge, whether it’s through the cuts or the fabrics.
21. Mobile Fans
Mobile fans are trendy devices that keep you cool in the hot weather. Some come with cute designs while others have simple charging capabilities. The best part about devices like this is that they have a true purpose—be aware of this with your marketing, speak on the benefits.
22. Fishing Gear
Summer isn’t all about swimming and partying. Guys love fishing, whether with their best friends or family. If you can provide high-quality and affordable bundles from tackles to rods, then you might just reel them in. Consider offering a few hats and clothes so you can be their one-stop fishing gear shop.
23. Outdoor Rugs
People with pools in their homes will benefit a lot from stylish outdoor rugs. They can elevate their yard while offering a soft cushion to anyone sitting or lying down. Give them options in various shapes, forms, and patterns, but take great care in the size and fabric. Some might incur pricey production and shipping costs.
24. Camping Gear
Camping has always been a fun family activity. If they can grab everything they need from one shop, then chances are they’ll return for more. Provide customers with tents, sleeping bags, backpacks, apparel, and even portable cooking tools so they’ll think of you as their go-to store for outdoor adventures.
25. Unique Summer Dresses
Women spend more time shopping online than men, so cater to their needs by offering comfortable and stylish summer dresses. Linen and cotton are great summer fabrics as they’re soft and breathable.
26. Portable Fire Pits
Sitting around a bonfire, playing music, drinking beer, and eating smores is another relaxing summer activity. Portable fire pits are a bit out of the ordinary, so take advantage of that and offer compact and easy-to-pack choices. This is also a great chance to offer free gifts with purchase, consider s’more kits.
27. Beach Tents
Some people just want luxurious comfort when they’re on the beach and tents provide just that. They have shade and privacy, perfect for an afternoon nap. When selling these comfortable shelters, offer packable options so you can ship them easily and your customers won’t deal with missing items when received.
How to Find Winning Summer Products
Here are the best strategies to find good summer products.
Look at Other Brands
It seems simple enough, but looking at what your competition is doing is a good signal of what customers will be looking for. Keep an eye out for special designs, new product lines, and marketing campaigns to see what’s working and what’s not—there’s no need to recreate the wheel.
Check Social Media
Viral videos can be a good indicator of what people are doing and where they’re going. Is a popular beach drinking game showing up time and time again on your feed? Selling adjacent products or similar games is a good place to start.
Search Google Trends
Look through times when different terms historically spiked during the summer. As you can see here, both “water bottle” and “swimsuit” get more search volume in the summer months. (Although “swimsuit” has bigger swings, they both increase in popularity when it gets hotter.)
Use Google Trends as your best friend when doing product research.
Learn Product Research, Marketing, and Dropshipping Tactics on Whop
At Whop, we have plenty of communities solely dedicated to dropshipping. You can learn from seven- and eight-figure dropshippers on how to set up stores, run ads, find the best dropshipping products, and serve hundreds of happy customers, all from the comfort of your own home.
One such community is Jordan’s Library, taught by expert dropshipper Jordan Brown, where you’ll get access to course material, guidance from his team, and be able to connect with other students from beginner to advanced!
Whop is the best place to learn a new skill—our communities are taught by some of the best in subjects like ecommerce, dropshipping, reselling, and more. When you join a community on Whop you are granted immediate access to other people on the same journey as you.
Why You Should Trust Us
Joe Niehaus is a content writer and ecommerce specialist here at Whop. He’s worked in ecommerce for several years and has written for major sites like Business Insider, Travel + Leisure, and more. Joe’s expertise is backed by years of real-world experience.
