Were the Best Things to Sell Online Different in September 2020 vs. September 2019

The DealNews Seller's Guide

We look at the items that were popular with DealNews readers in both September 2020 and 2019, giving you a broad view of the best items to sell this September. Plus, we go over a sales opportunity you won't want to miss this month.

Wondering what products are actually worth selling this September? 2020 was a wacky year, so we decided to examine DealNews shopping trends from both September 2020 and September 2019. That way, you can get a big-picture view of what to list when September 2021 rolls around.

So how did September 2019 and September 2020 compare? Let's begin by looking at a selection of products that were popular with readers in September 2019.

First up are household items like glass cleaners, toilet paper, solid air fresheners, baking soda, and 20-packs of double-A and triple-A batteries.

Grocery items also trended with our readers in September 2019, and included smoked snack sticks, watermelon-flavored carbonated mineral water, microwavable macaroni and cheese, microwavable lentil entrees, and mixed nuts.

You also had home improvement products like silicone sealant, water putty, painter's tape, paint roller frames, square LED bulbs, and air filters.

Dental and personal care products were popular that month, too. Examples included crème brûlée-flavored lip balm, eyebrow tweezers, shampoo and conditioner bottles, spring water-scented deodorant soap, and whitening toothpaste.

Another trending category in September 2019 was home items, like drill brush attachments, refillable moisture absorbers, 12-inch wooden rulers, battery storage cases, 12-piece sets of latching boxes, and cotton towels and washcloths.

Phone accessories resonated with readers, too. They included USB-C to USB-A charging cables, splitters, car mounts for phones, and clear iPhone cases.

Also popular? Grilling, lawn, and garden products like fall lawn food, grass seed, sets of gardening hand tools, and barbecue smoking chips.

Readers gravitated toward electronic components and audio products, as well, like wireless Bluetooth earbuds, surge protectors, and 4-outlet smart plugs.

Computer accessories were also trending that September. You had USB flash drives, 128-gigabyte memory cards, 32-gigabyte microSD cards, WiFi range extenders, and USB-C to USB 3-point-0 adapters.

Then there were automotive items like microfiber towels, lithium grease, parking mats, razor blade scrapers, and UV protectant spray.

Our last trending category was men's clothes, including sport coats, blazers, dress pants, slim-fit shirts, sweaters, and 3-packs of cotton T-shirts.

A few products trended in both September 2019 and September 2020, such as painter's tape and barbecue smoking chips. Those could be safe bets for 2021, as well.

As for differences between the two years? Tools and home improvement items were both significantly more popular in September 2020 than September 2019. That makes sense, given the DIY trend during the pandemic. In 2019, meanwhile, phone accessories and automotive items seem to hold more appeal than they did in 2020.

Before we end for today, let's talk about a big promotional opportunity that shows up in September, and that's Labor Day Sales.

Labor Day falls on September 6 in 2021, and if you haven't started thinking about whether you want to offer coupons, discounts, or other promotions for the holiday, now's the time to get moving.

Wondering which types of items to discount? In September 2020, our readers gravitated toward Labor Day sales offering items like appliances, mattresses, tools, furniture, clothes, and home and garden products.

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