How to Find Shopify Products That Will Sell in 2026

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It's a new year with new possibilities in store, and you’re thinking that 2026 may just be the year to start a new business or find a winning product to sell on Shopify. With global ecommerce sales set to surpass $8.5 trillion by 2026, this highlights the massive opportunity for online merchants. However, with consumer trends, technology, and social ideas and behaviors evolving quicker than ever, choosing the right products becomes a strategic decision for Shopify merchants, one that requires data-driven methods.

In this article, we are guiding you through how to identify products that will sell on Shopify in 2026, using data-driven methods, trend analysis, and practical validation techniques.

Let’s get started.

Ecommerce Pro helps merchants build and optimize Shopify stores that drive sales and growth. Our team will guide you every step of the way, from setup to launch, and beyond. Get in touch.

Why Product Research Matters in 2026

Not every business or product idea is going to be a hit, and that’s why product research in 2026 really matters. Research is what’s going to put strategy into action.

In the age of social media and the internet, consumer trends change or evolve quickly, and guessing what to sell is no longer enough. Successful Shopify merchants know that data and trend research—essentially making informed decisions about what products to invest in, how to price them, and who to market them— are the recipes to becoming a success.

You may have an exciting idea, but product research helps you understand what customers actually want, and what they’re willing to spend money on. Investing in products that don’t move off the shelves is frustrating, and proper research mitigates that risk, positioning your store to take advantage of emerging trends.

Doing your research also means:

• Spotting trends early: By studying market data and social trends, you can identify products that are gaining momentum before others do.
• Understanding demand and competition: Tools like Google Trends help you gauge interest levels and saturation in your chosen niche.
• Pricing smarter: Research helps you find the balance between what customers are willing to pay, along with your profit margin.
• Building long-term success: Instead of chasing fads that don’t last, research enables you to select products that are sustainable long-term.
  

Step 1: Track Emerging Consumer Trends

The first step in finding products that will sell in 2026 is getting a pulse on what consumers actually care about. It helps to stay in the loop and to be keenly aware of the trends, what people are talking about, and posting on social media. After all, trends don’t appear out of nowhere, and while trends can be fleeting, they are certainly not irrelevant. Trends are what shape cultural and consumer behavior, values, and technology. When you understand emerging trends early, you can position your Shopify store to ride the oncoming wave.

• Google Trends to spot rising product searches.
• Social media hashtags (Instagram, TikTok) to see viral products.
• Industry reports and Shopify trend pages.

Step 2: Analyze Best-Selling Products on Shopify & Marketplaces

Once you’ve got a good sense of what the current social and consumer trends are, you can analyze what’s actually selling right now. Go online and study the best-selling or up-and-coming products so you can spot proven demands and what products are actually resonating with buyers, always looking for an opportunity to introduce your spin to the matter.

You can always start by browsing other Shopify businesses, or other popular marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, and AliExpress to find current best-sellers. Amazon is a great resource, as it keeps its “Best Sellers” page up to date, providing valuable insight into what consumers are actively buying on the popular ecommerce platform. On Etsy, you can see which handmade or customizable products are performing well. It’s a great place to find inspiration if you’re exploring the personalization space.

And of course, social proof is always gold. Scroll through TikTok, Instagram Reels, or Pinterest to see which products are going viral right now. Remember, social media often plays a hand in setting the trends, and to look for patterns.

Here are a few ways to make the most of this step:

• Look beyond the product itself and study how it’s being marketed, who it appeals to, and what problem it solves.
• Take note of recurring product categories that appear across multiple platforms — that consistency often signals strong market validation.
• While you can simply copy, you can improve a product or idea by adding your own spin to things.

Step 3: Validate Product Demand with Keyword Research

Your research isn’t complete without keyword research, which helps you determine whether people are actively searching online for these products. Keyword research helps you understand real market demand, how many people are looking for a product, and how competitive it is in terms of marketing.

Start with tools like Ahrefs, SEMrush, or Ubersuggest to check search volume and keyword difficulty. If you see steady searches with moderate competition, that’s usually a good sign. You can also use Google Keyword Planner to estimate CPC (cost-per-click); higher CPCs often mean there’s strong commercial intent behind those searches.

The goal is simple: find products that sit in the sweet spot, strong demand with low to moderate competition, where you can stand out and still attract consistent sales without drowning in competition.

Step 4: Assess Profitability & Margins

Even the trendiest product can fail if it doesn’t make sense financially. Before you invest time and money, it’s crucial to understand the numbers behind each product. Start with your Cost of Goods Sold (COGS) — this includes production, shipping, and Shopify fees (including how much it costs to run your online business). Then, look at your average selling price (ASP). Will your target customer actually pay that much?

Most brands would stick to the general rule of at least 30–50% gross margin on physical products. This gives you room to cover marketing costs, absorb returns, and still walk away with a healthy profit.

Once you’ve determined profitability, the next step is figuring out who you’re selling to or your target audience. You can’t simply sell to everyone, as a clear understanding of your audience can make or break your marketing efforts. Marketing needs to be targeted to a specific group with shared interests, demographics, or lifestyles.

This is where micro-niches shine. Narrowing your focus reduces competition and allows you to speak directly to the people most likely to buy. For instance, instead of selling generic “yoga mats,” consider eco-friendly, biodegradable yoga mats. This level of specificity signals that you understand your audience’s needs and lifestyle. While they are certainly a smaller group to target, micro-niches also tend to have passionate, loyal communities.

Step 6: Test Products with Key Metrics

This step is for when you’ve launched your new product or brand, because it’s important to constantly keep an eye on how your chosen product performs. Even with all that research and planning, the only real proof is how the market responds. That’s why testing products on a small scale is essential. Don’t invest in huge inventory right away. You can start with a small batch or even a single-product store.

Run paid ads or social campaigns to measure interest, and pay close attention to how people engage. Are they clicking your ads, asking questions, or leaving comments? Early customer feedback is invaluable and can help you tweak product descriptions, images, or even variants.

Key metrics to monitor include:

• Click-through rate (CTR):
• Conversion rate
• Return on ad spend (ROAS)
• Customer feedback:

Step 7: Keep an Eye on Emerging 2026 Product Trends

Even after you’ve picked your first products, the market doesn’t stand still for a second. 2026 will bring plenty of exciting opportunities for Shopify merchants who keep their finger on the pulse. Regularly revisiting trends is crucial. What’s hot today might plateau tomorrow, while a small micro-niche could explode into a mainstream category. By staying observant, analyzing data, and keeping an open mind, you position your store to capitalize on opportunities before competitors even notice them.

Conclusion

Finding products that will sell on Shopify in 2026 comes to more than just luck; it’s about combining research, trend awareness, and keeping an eye on performance. Remember, ecommerce is fast-moving, and it moves with the social and consumer trends that our shaping how and what we buy. Trends are always going to evolve, consumer behavior will shift, and what’s hot today might not be tomorrow. The merchants who thrive are the ones who stay curious, data-driven, and proactive, continuously keeping track of what’s emerging.

Launching a Shopify store or finding that winning product doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With the right approach, tools, and guidance, 2026 could be your year to stand out and scale.

Ready to start an online business with Shopify in 2026? Ecommerce Pro helps merchants launch and optimize Shopify stores that drive sales and growth. Our team will guide you every step of the way. Get in touch.