The process of reselling things from Walmart may be complex, but it can also be lucrative. Read our guide to find out how to turn it into a profit.
Are you looking for a lucrative side hustle to pad your budget and give you some extra spending money?
With the ever-increasing cost of living and unstable economy of the times, many people are struggling financially.
Luckily, reselling things from Walmart is a relatively easy way to make an extra buck.
Keep reading to learn how to turn your everyday shopping trips into a profitable venture.
Yes. It may be unconventional, but it’s possible. People have already been doing it successfully.
One such person is Ryan Grant, who has been making millions buying items from Walmart and reselling them on Amazon.
We can refer to this as retail arbitrage, which involves buying products from one store and reselling them through another store, like Amazon, Walmart Marketplace, or eBay.
Now that you know it’s possible, let’s discuss what products you should be reselling and why.
Other best things to flip for profit include discontinued items (that always push up demand), Disney products, appliances, and other used items.
In the public eye, Walmart is one of those stores that’s associated with low-cost home items, groceries, and fast-moving consumer goods.
This means people may view Walmart items as low value. However, with the launch of their third-party e-commerce website, this is changing.
While independent sellers use Walmart Marketplace to sell new or used products, luxury brands use the website to sell their overstocked goods.
This introduction of luxury goods to Walmart relatively increases its value.
Besides this, consider these factors when deciding if something on Walmart may have value in the future:
Just like when you buy products from other stores, items can lose value over time while others increase. It largely depends on the factors that we mentioned above.
For example, electronic goods can lose their value quickly due to advancements in technology.
For instance, consider the vast rate at which Apple keeps making new iPhones.
On the other hand, discontinued products, collectibles, and limited edition items only become more sought-after, resulting in high prices as time passes.
Before venturing into this business, there are several considerations that you should be aware of.
Plan for scalability and try to learn from successful business plan examples. You need to ensure that as your business grows, you have the resources and structure to grow too.
It’s important to have a pricing strategy to ensure you’re making a profit after deducting all the associated costs (shipping, initial retail price, platform fees, etc.).
Each e-commerce site comes with its own fees, traffic statistics, specific audience, and interface. That’s why choosing the right place that meets your business needs is key to your success in the resale arena.
You need to be well-versed in all things seasonal. You not only need to be aware of the trends, but you also need to predict them before they even happen.
If you’re on the ball, you can adjust your inventory and pricing strategies accordingly.
Get familiar with the local and national regulations. If you’re successful, your business will cross the U.S. borders. As such, you need to be up-to-date on all the tax laws and common tax write-offs.
While you could opt for a diverse range of products, focusing on one specific and profitable niche will make it easier for you to keep track of demand and the competition.
Plus, eventually, you’ll become a master in the niche and well-known amongst your target market.
First of all, it’s important to buy products for resale that have good reviews—if other people want them, so might your target market.
Secondly, gather customer reviews on the items you’re selling so you have social proof to sway anyone who’s slightly hesitant about making a purchase.
You have several options as to which platform to set up your e-commerce business. However, the three listed below are the most popular and viable.
Amazon is a global e-commerce website and the only one to surpass Walmart Marketplace in terms of visitors. That’s why it’s the ideal place for reselling products.
Selling on Amazon is great because they have a huge customer base who trust Amazon and its reputation. If you sell here, customers will automatically put more trust in your business and products.
Apart from this, you’re assured of the logistical system, Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), which will store, pack, and ship your products. And with the Amazon Seller app, you can easily track shipped items.
Plus, Amazon has a multiple selection of payment methods and selling options already set up.
Fees/Commission:
Payment Methods:
Mercari is another option, except it’s only for preloved items. What sets it apart from the rest of the e-commerce marketplaces is its user-friendly mobile app, where you can list and sell your Walmart products easily.
We’ve already mentioned the app. However, the website version is just as easy to navigate and use. You’re able to find what you’re looking for without much hassle.
Additionally, Mercari has over 20 million monthly active users with diverse tastes and needs for you to sell to.
Fees/Commission:
Payment Methods:
Craigslist is a local classified ads platform with a less-than-positive reputation, but that doesn’t mean that you can’t use it to sell your products.
You can sell on Craigslist, but you should be careful of potential scams.
Since Craiglist is local, it connects you with people in your area. This results in lower delivery costs for your business. This is especially beneficial for larger products that would be expensive to ship.
Plus, because you can arrange an in-person deal, you can get your money instantly and in cash.
Fees/Commission:
Payment Methods:
Before you start reselling items from Walmart, there are several factors you need to ensure that the venture is smooth and successful:
If you’re ready to start reselling Walmart items, here are the steps to set up your business:
The world of selling second-hand goods is a competitive one, so researching will give you a leg up against your competition.
That’s why it’s important that you know what products and brands your target customers need, as well as the market trends and consumer demand.
Depending on your state, you may need to register your resale business and get your hands on any permits and licenses. This is especially important if you expect to be shipping products overseas.
You need a place to sell your goods. Today, most sellers prefer an e-commerce store as customers are now doing their shopping online.
We’ve mentioned three viable options you can consider above. But you’re free to choose other platforms, such as eBay and Shopify, if they’re more suitable for your business’s needs.
With your online store set up, it’s now time to fill it with Walmart items your target customers would want to buy.
You can do this in two ways: shop via Walmart Marketplace or in person at your local Walmart store.
We suggest the latter option as they have better clearance sections and you can thoroughly assess the products’ quality if they’re worth buying in bulk.
After purchasing, you can now add the products’ details to the online store. These would include:
If you want people to flock to your online store, then you must do marketing campaigns to attract their attention. You have several options, such as:
It’s important to see which items are selling quickly and need restocking and which ones are in low demand and can be phased out.
Knowing these ensures your business will thrive and minimize your losses.
Yes, you can make money from flipping Walmart items. Note that not everyone can do it, as you’ll need a certain level of finesse and dedication to turn it into a success.
A “Things From Walmart” resale business involves buying products from Walmart and reselling them for a profit.
You’re often reselling wholesale products, which is an example of retail arbitrage that was mentioned earlier.
To start, you need to find out which products are in demand and then buy them at Walmart for a price usually lower than other stores.
Next, you’ll set them up in your online store for a higher price. Any sales you make from them would earn you a profit.
It can be, but that depends on your ability. Here are some pros and cons of this venture that you can think about:
Yes. On Walmart Marketplace, third-party sellers are allowed to create accounts and sell their products. This allows you to have access to Walmart’s huge audience, but it does come at a price.
Most of the products sold on Walmart's online store are new. However, they have partnered with thredUP, a resale marketplace, and now offer their shoppers high-quality used luxury goods such as women's clothing.
Walmart isn’t the only store that you can buy items from to resell. If you can’t manage to get the process right, then you can try one of these other stores:
With a little planning and a whole lot of dedication, reselling items from Walmart can be profitable.
But you need to remember that it’s a competitive space, and you’ll have to put in some effort before you can reap the rewards.
After reading this guide, you’ll have a couple more tools in your arsenal to use on your entrepreneurial journey.
If you found this information helpful, please feel free to share it with others that you may think will benefit from it. Alternatively, you can comment below and let us know what you learned.