Finding Hot Products to Sell

Product trending cannot happen in a vacuum — just sitting at your desk and dreaming up new products to sell on your website isn't going to cut it! You have to do the research. And trust us: If you make an effort to pay attention to what products are hot, you'll be ahead of the curve when it comes time to source new products. (And, it will save you time and money in the long run!) Here are three "cross market" trends to watch for in the new year:

1. Eco-friendly products: green = green! Every industry is being touched by the environmental movement. In fact, by 2010, sales of eco-friendly products are expected to double to $100 billion. You'd be crazy not to grab a piece of that action!
2. Technology-enhanced practicalities: technology that is infused into everyday items is very hot. For instance, solar panels in knapsacks that allow people to charge their iPods or cell phones on the go, or GPS-enabled wristwatches.
3. Women-specific design: 82% of purchasing decisions are made by women, according to the National Retail Federation. Retailers are starting to redesign products to appeal more to these key influencers, such as outdoor equipment, sporting equipment, tools, etc.

nSo stay on top of what your market wants! Read industry blogs, subscribe to newsletters, ask your customers for feedback... because the more you know about your market, the more you'll sell.