7 Shopping Service Success Stories [2024]

Pat Walls

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Updated: November 1st, 2023

Start A Shopping Service

The “shopping service” business idea is an excellent opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to tap into e-commerce and customer service. The concept is simple: you offer a personalized shopping experience for your clients, helping them find and purchase the products they need online.

To run this business, you’ll need a strong understanding of online shopping platforms like Amazon and eBay and a keen eye for finding the best deals and discounts for your clients. You'll also need excellent communication skills, as you'll work closely with your clients to understand their needs and preferences.

One of the key benefits of running a shopping service is the ability to work remotely and set your own schedule. This is a perfect business idea for those looking to work from home or on a flexible schedule. Additionally, you can charge a fee for your services, which can be a lucrative source of income.

Another advantage of this business idea is the opportunity to work with various clients and products. From fashion and electronics to home goods and gifts, you’ll have the chance to help people find exactly what they’re looking for. This can be a fulfilling and enjoyable experience, as you’ll be able to use your expertise to impact your clients' lives positively.

Overall, the “shopping service” business idea is an excellent opportunity for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to enter the world of e-commerce and customer service. You can turn this idea into a successful and rewarding business with the right skills and dedication.

Here are some real life success stories of starting a shopping service:

1. On Brand ($1.8K/year)

After working in the merchandising industry at Banana Republic and earning his MBA, Brian McEuen noticed a shift in how men were shopping for clothes. He saw an opportunity to curate personalized selections for guys shopping online, leading him to start On Brand. With 75 users and an annual revenue run rate of $1800, Brian aims to improve and expand his product in the future.

How much they make: $1.8K/year
How much did it cost to start: $1.2K
Current team size: 1

Spotify For Clothes: How I Launched A Business Helping Guys Discover New Clothing

On Brand founder Brian McEuen curates personalized selections of clothing for men online, sending emails to individual users without duplicate products, with 75 current users and an annualized revenue run rate of $1800.

About

Brian started On Brand about 4 years ago

Revenue

Brian grew the business to $150/month

Costs

It cost Brian $1200 to start the business

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Learn more about starting a shopping service:

Where to start?

-> How much does it cost to start a shopping service?
-> Pros and cons of a shopping service

Need inspiration?

-> Examples of established shopping service
-> Marketing ideas for a shopping service

Other resources

Part of

Starting A Shopping Service: Everything You Need To Know

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2. All Things Commerce Helsinki Ltd. ($6M/year)

Jonas Forth, managing director at All Things Commerce Helsinki Ltd., came up with the idea for the business after seeing similar brands struggle with their online presence. With a background in journalism and online content production, Forth saw an opportunity to combine content and commerce to help Nordic brands reach a global audience. With a monthly turnover of €75,000 and annual growth of 20%, the company is now owned by parent company Moomin Characters and is looking to expand its operations with an on-demand model.

How much they make: $6M/year
How much did it cost to start: $100K
Current team size: 30

Growing a Content-First Brand to ‎75,000‎€/mo.

All Things Commerce Helsinki Ltd has achieved a monthly turnover of €75k and annual growth of 20%, shipping to over 50 countries with over 700 items, by focusing on creating search engine optimized content for their global brand Moomin.

About

Jonas started All Things Commerce Helsinki Ltd. over 10 years ago

Revenue

Jonas grew the business to $500K/month

Costs

It cost Jonas $100000 to start the business

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Read by 3,882 founders

5. Flipkart

How much they make:
Current team size: 12655
Website traffic: 195M/month

6. Elsevier

Elsevier is a global information analytics business that helps institutions and professionals progress science, advance healthcare and improve performance.

Where they're located: Saint Paul, Minnesota, USA
Website traffic: 45.7M/month

7. Bizrate

Bizrate makes comparison shopping easy with Product Reviews, Merchant Ratings, Deal Alerts & Coupons. Compare Prices & Read Reviews on Top Brands & Products in Home & Garden, Clothing & Accessories, Sports & Outdoors, Electronics & More!

Where they're located: Iceland
Website traffic: 17.8M/month