The 11 Best Things to Sell Online in October 2021

The DealNews Seller's Guide

Planning what to sell this October could be a tricky venture, but we're here to help! We give you a big-picture idea of the best products to list in October, from Halloween candy to home improvement items.​

Planning what to sell in October 2021 could be a tricky venture. Last year Amazon's Prime Day event occurred in mid-October, but this year it was held in June. Plus, Marketplace sellers will likely have supply chain issues to deal with this October, not to mention the delta variant of the coronavirus — or perhaps another variant altogether.

So we don't blame you if you're wracking your brain about what items are worth listing this October. But we're here to help! We looked at the most popular items with DealNews readers in October 2020, which should give you an idea of the best items to sell in October 2021. We'll also talk about whether you should wait until the holiday season before you sell toys, or if it's worth listing them in October instead.

Let's begin by going over the 11 best products to sell online in October 2021.

We dove into the DealNews archives and came up with a variety of items that resonated with our readers in October 2020. They could be worth selling again this October, given their popularity last year. So what are these products, exactly?

First up are home improvement supplies. We're talking items like garage hubs, painter's caulk, duplex outlets, color-changing strip lights, outdoor solar lights, expandable garden hoses, and water-tight cord locks.

Packaged food is next on our list of items. Consider selling things like Halloween candy, bags of pistachios and almonds, snack variety packs, and 12-packs of ramen noodle soup.

Household and health items are another type of product that was popular with our readers last October. They include drain clog remover, liquid laundry detergent, dishwasher detergent tablets, sleep masks, and heating pads.

You might also want to sell home products, which can really run the gamut. These could include hanging wall storage items, rugs, craft glue, floor and desk lamps, automatic soap dispensers, dryer vent cleaner kits, and personal neck fans.

Kitchen items resonated with our readers in October 2020, as well, and they ranged from cleavers and measuring cups to OXO and KitchenAid tools.

Grooming and personal care products made our list, too, including deodorant bar soap, back scrubbers, hair clippers, body lotion, and toothpaste for sensitive teeth.

Number 7 on our list is audio products, such as on-ear wireless headphones, gaming headsets, and wireless earbuds.

Number 8, meanwhile, is phone accessories like USB wall chargers, car phone mounts, clear iPhone cases, and iPhone charging cables.

Computer-related items are another thing to look into this October. You might want to list dry-erase desktop computer pads, tablet stands, webcams, memory cards, and USB flash drives.

Don't forget about tools either. In 2020, our readers gravitated toward items like circuit breaker finders, Bosch tools, folding pocket knives, and bit holders.

Last on our list of items to consider selling is office supplies. You could have good luck with silver permanent markers, printer paper, double-sided tape, and 3-packs of scissors.

Another item that's worth a second look in October is toys.

Supply chain challenges across many sectors are already throwing a wrench into fourth quarter plans, and we know that toy sales are a big part of the winter holiday season. The question is whether you should wait until November and December to list kids' toys, or go ahead and start in October.

DealNews readers gravitated toward toys and games more in November and December 2020 than they did in October of last year. Popular items included unicorn plush toys, motorized train sets, card games, LEGO car sets, remote-control dinosaurs, and construction vehicles sets. We wouldn't be surprised to see these types of products resonate with our readers again this year.

The issue is timing. In 2021, winter gift-giving holidays like Hanukkah and Christmas will fall during the last two months of the year, as always, so customers will definitely be buying during those two months. But higher costs and competition for shipping containers, not to mention delays, could make inventory harder and pricier to get.

According to Forbes, "The container shortage will mean hot toys will sell out faster, and retailers may not be able to restock them in December, as they have in past years." In fact, a toy company CEO quoted in that Forbes article recommended that consumers do their shopping before Thanksgiving if they want toys. So there's an argument for listing them in October and not waiting until November, if you're able to secure the toys you want to sell by then.

Whether you decide to get a head start or wait, you'll want to start your holiday prep early this year!

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