Top 10 E-commerce Product Categories You Should be Selling in Singapore

E-Commerce Market in Singapore

Singapore is one of the most affluent countries in Southeast Asia. Despite being a small country, it has a per capita income of $65,000. A majority of Singaporeans are tech-savvy, using their mobile devices for a range of activities, from communication to shopping online. E-commerce is a thriving industry in Singapore. 

Singapore’s e-commerce users are already at 3 million, and the segment is expected to catapult to US$10 billion by 2026. A whopping 58% of residents in the country make purchases online regularly. 

E-commerce platforms such as Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon are immensely popular in the country, giving residents a chance to list on them and sell their own merchandise. Some of the most popular e-commerce product categories include electronics, fashion and beauty, personal care, baby products and pet products.  

Here are the Top 10 E-commerce Product Categories in Singapore

Deciding on what to sell in Singapore may be challenging given the highly saturated e-commerce market. However, we’ve done the legwork for you and found the top categories that will give you a competitive edge when you launch your e-commerce store. 

After all, market research involves understanding the needs and preferences of your target customers. For that, one of the most important things to cross off your to-do list is to find out what are the most popular products in Singapore within your target audience.

1. Consumer electronics

Singaporeans take their electronics very seriously with a market valuation of US$1.9 billion in 2020 and this number is set to grow even higher with every year. In 2018, the most popular consumer electronic products sold online were wireless/Bluetooth speakers, smart wearables, smartwatches, and Organic Light-Emitting Diode (OLED) TVs.

2. Fashion

Fashion is another popular and lucrative category with the revenue for this sector amounting to US$326 million in 2020. Aside from big brands such as Zalora and ASOS which are hugely popular in Singapore, there are also smaller omnichannel fashion companies that are doing well in the market such as LoveBonito and The Editor’s Market. For fashion, the omnichannel retail strategy works best as there are customers who need to physically see and feel the items but also love the convenience of buying from their favourite clothes brand online.

3. Toys, DIY, and hobbies

COVID-19 has no doubt played an important part in the rise of interest in this category among Singaporeans. While brick-and-mortar stores selling such items are struggling, online demand for the toys, DIY and hobbies category has been growing faster than ever as people are looking for ways to keep themselves occupied during these times.

4. Beauty and personal care

Singaporeans are known to be least price-sensitive customers in the Southeast Asian region which makes it no surprise that they are willing to pay big money for reputable international brands especially for those that do not have local sellers.

Brands are also starting to realise the increasing demand for beauty and personal care products by men with a study stating that such growth will bring the market an estimated S$141 million by 2021. Hence, brands are taking the steps towards catering to male customers in this industry, no doubt thanks to the rise in K-pop and K-dramas that have helped to normalise the need for men to look their best.

5. Food items

While working from home (WFH) has been established as the norm and safety distancing measures are still in place, home cooking has been gaining tremendous popularity as seen from the increase in demand for essential food items such as flour and pasta.

Additionally, the latest craze in instant mala noodles from China also showcases the importance of eCommerce sellers to be nimble in responding to the latest food trends and changes in consumer demands.

6. Cooking appliances and supplies

On a related note, with the rise in the popularity of home cooking, it is no wonder that people are also willing to invest in kitchenware and food-related appliances to help them pursue their culinary passions.

7. Office furniture

WFH has also caused people to realise that they do not have the ideal workspace to allow them to be productive from home. As a result, many of them had to invest in furniture such as computer chairs and work tables to create a more conducive environment to complete their everyday tasks.

8. Sports equipment

Many Singaporeans are also choosing to invest in sports equipment and other sport-related products such as home-installed bars, yoga mats, and dumbbells due to limited capacity and social distancing measures in gyms. The pandemic has also increased the importance for people to stay healthy so it is no wonder that fitness-related products have seen considerable growth this year.

9. Baby products

The steady increase in the workforce participation rate among women in Singapore has led to parents preferring to buy baby-related products online due to its convenience and easy price comparison. ECommerce platforms such as Lazada often feature baby product listings as their top sale items which include diapers, milk powders, baby clothes and toys for young children.

10. Pet products

The pet care industry is one of the fastest-growing industries worldwide with Singaporeans being more educated and willing to spend more for the welfare of their beloved pets. There has also been a rise in overall pet ownership with a study highlighting that Singapore's pet dog and cat figures have grown nearly 19 per cent in five years to reach 196,600 in 2019. Both factors have contributed immensely to the increased demand in pet food, pet toys and pet health-related products.

11. Gardening equipment

Many Singaporeans are turning their homes into green abodes. There are more than 1,600 community gardens in Singapore. Apart from that, locals are also growing their own vegetables at home. This has given rise to a demand for gardening products like flowerpots, seeds, planters, water jugs and manure. You can make a killing selling gardening-related products online. The market is set to grow to $2.46 billion by 2025. 

12. Underwear

Good quality undergarments are always in high demand. Many Singaporeans love their fancy lingerie and tend to shop for them online. Delicate designs and cheap products are the most popular. Revenue in the Night & Underwear segment came up to US$17.39m in 2023. The market is expected to grow annually by 3.57% (CAGR 2023-2027).

13. Vehicle accessories

More than 471,000 households in Singapore own cars. Car owners love to amp up their car design with various accessories like car seat covers, air fresheners, holders and car organizers. This is also a popular category for you to start an e-commerce business in Singapore. 

14. Gift items

Like in most Asian countries, Singaporeans are frequent gifters. If you are able to sell gift products like candles, stationery, or other unique gifts, this can quickly become a cash cow for you. 

Popular products in Singapore

There are some trending products in Singapore that people love and buy a lot of. If you want to succeed in your e-commerce business, then you should choose to sell the most popular products in Singapore online. Some of these are: 

• Bluetooth speakers
• Loungewear
• Shoes
• Makeup
• Sports and athleisure
• Handbags 
• Baby wraps 

You can find a whole list of products and how they are currently trending here. 

While it is key to be aware of what products are trending so that you can increase your sales, remember that trends tend to come and go and that the popularity for such products cannot sustain forever. It is equally important for you to invest in your branding and marketing efforts so that you can retain customer loyalty and achieve sustained growth for your business.

If you wish to engage a marketing agency so you can focus on providing the best service for your customers, be sure to check out our article on the Top 20 Digital Marketing Agencies in Singapore.

Why Start an E-Commerce Business in Singapore?

Starting an e-commerce business in Singapore is a great idea. If you aren’t convinced already, read on to find out why you should waste no time to get started. 

Singaporeans are loyal users of their digital devices. 94.4% of individuals in Singapore have a digital device, among the highest penetration of digital devices in the Southeast Asian region. About seven in 10 Singaporeans shop online for a range of products, from every day groceries to clothing and electronics. 

As online shopping becomes more convenient and cheaper, Singaporeans will turn to the internet to fulfil almost all their requirements. The growing digitalization in the country has also made it easier to make payments online, increasing the adoption of online shopping. 

Looking at this trend, starting an online business in Singapore can be hugely profitable. Even brick-and-mortar stores are opening online stores to improve business. 

How to Start Selling Trending Products in Singapore Online

1. Choose the right category 

The first question to answer is what to sell in Singapore online. You can use our guide or do your own research to find the top-selling products in Singapore. Once you find your niche, you can start your business. 

2. Select a Brand Name 

Your customers will need to identify with the brand that you sell. Spend some time thinking of a suitable brand name and business name. 

3. Register your business

Even if you are selling products online, you need a business registration to legally sell things online. You can register your business on ACRA or use our services for hassle-free and quick business registration. 

4. Choose a channel to sell

Online selling platforms like Shopee, Lazada, and Amazon are great options for you to sell top products in Singapore online. They have many support services and an existing client base that will make the business a breeze. You could also choose to set up your own website or social media channels, but this may prove to be slightly more difficult. 

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Bonus read: 5 Best Local Courier Services for E-Commerce in Singapore