There are two types of people: those who drink coffee and those who don’t.
But for the people who belong to the first group, most of them couldn’t survive a day without coffee! It’s the first thing you look for when you wake up.
You drink it at work, post-gym session, or whenever you need a drink! If you agree with this statement, you also know the high demand for coffee worldwide!
With such a high demand for coffee, it makes it the perfect business opportunity with the potential to become lucrative!
In this guide, I will show you how to capitalize on this caffeine obsession and consistently sell coffee online!
Our ZIK Analytics market research tool uses data to analyze market trends and forecast future selling trends.
Thus, it has opened my eyes to the possibility of exploring coffee as a lucrative business idea, given its high demand!
That’s why I wanted to show you the potential of an online coffee business and why now is the perfect time to start selling coffee online.
Now, learn from this guide how to capitalize on this demand to make money when you sell coffee on Shopify. Exploring competitor campaigns with AdSpy also shows you which coffee products are being actively promoted and how brands are positioning them to win buyers’ attention.
Key Takeaways
- Selling coffee online is highly profitable as there are various opportunities to target consumers who are coffee lovers and the data-backed research that shows the growth rate of the coffee industry.
- Selling your coffee business allows you to offer various coffee products, such as roasted coffee beans, ground coffee, coffee mugs, and more.
- Boost sales when you sell coffee online with a winning social media marketing strategy and building a unique brand.
- Use the ZIK Analytics research tool to identify the top-selling coffee product ideas and analyze their sales data to validate your product selection. Our tool also simplifies your search for reliable suppliers online.
Is Selling Coffee Online Profitable?
Consider this data from Statista: almost 176 million coffee bags were consumed worldwide in 2021-2022. This increased slightly from the previous year and has steadily risen since 2012/2013.
Meanwhile, Drive Research reported that 3 in 4 Americans drink coffee daily. Globally, over 2 billion cups of coffee are consumed daily.
Based on these data, selling coffee online is a profitable business idea. The global coffee market is forecasted to be worth $131.8 billion by 2026.
The annual growth rate is impressive, but the revenue within the coffee industry is equally impressive. It has a CAGR of nearly 7% from 2021 to 2025.
The Google Trends data also supports the steady demand growth for coffee products. For example, this graph shows the web search trend for the term “coffee” over the past five years, reflecting the worldwide web search trends for “coffee.”
Based on Google Trends data for the past five years, a similar trend or interest in the term “coffee beans” is also evident.
So, what do these numbers mean?
The coffee industry is thriving and growing. If you sell coffee, chances are you will find it easy to sell them online, given that you can target the millions of coffee lovers worldwide.
The impressive online coffee sales and the variety of coffee products – from coffee beans to ground coffee and coffee mugs – the opportunities to make money selling coffee is endless!
How to Find the Best Coffee Products to Sell Online
Product research is vital when selling coffee online. The competition is high with a coffee business—everyone wants a share of the pie!
Therefore, product and market research arm you with the information and latest data insights that enable you to build an online store that appeals to coffee lovers!
For this purpose, I will use our Shopify product research tool. I will then provide you with a detailed guide on how to find winning products that could make selling coffee online profitable.
This research will answer the question: What kind of coffee products are selling on Shopify?
Once you answer this question with the method I’ll show here, hopefully, you will see a boost in your online coffee sales. So, again, this method is for when you can’t decide yet what specific products you want to sell in your coffee store.
Now, let’s get started!
First, log in to your ZIK account. Go to Product Explorer.
I will input the keyword “coffee” on the Product Explorer page to find the best-selling products that are well-selling on Shopify.
The search result provides various product selections, and they’re not just coffee beans. You can find the following options:
- Coffee maker
- Coffee mugs and cups
- Coffee maker
- Coffee liqueur
- Coffee tumbler
- Whole coffee beans
- Coffee bags
Now, let’s examine one product closely. This Cold Brew Coffee Maker is sold for $29.99.
According to the ZIK product research tool, it sold 223 times in the last seven days and 682 times in the last 30 days. The seller has generated over $20,000 in revenue!
Here is another product: an insulated coffee cup.
Its selling price is $35. It has sold 432 times in the last 30 days and 266 times in the last seven days, earning the seller an estimated revenue of $15,120.
Let’s return to your first example: the Cold Brew Coffee Maker.
Click on the Spy icon next to the product to examine the sales data for this online coffee store.
As you can see, their online store only has five products. In the last 30 days, the store generated 1,240 online coffee sales, with an estimated revenue of $29,376.
The next step is to find a coffee supplier for this product. To find a coffee supplier for your store, click the Box icon.
The first supplier from Aliexpress lists the item for $18.10, which means $11.89 in profit for each sale. However, this product does not offer free shipping.
The shipping fee is $6.69, so factor that into your decision to pick this supplier. The bonus is that the supplier offers fast delivery and free returns within 90 days.
Here is another one listed for $6.99. This product comes with a filter and handle. The good news is that the seller offers free shipping and free returns. In addition, this product has many excellent reviews and a 4.9 rating. Over 500 of these items have been sold, which makes it a good choice when starting an online coffee store.
Let’s explore another example to gain better insight into how to use ZIK Analytics for product research and competitor analysis.
This insulated coffee cup is listed for $35. It is 20 oz in size and comes in three color options.
This online coffee store is a one-product store on Shopify. It is a testament to the popularity of this business model and the demand for coffee online.
A one-product store allows you to cater to a specific target market and build a loyal customer base.
Despite offering only one product, this store has had 436 sales in the last 30 days and an estimated revenue of $15,260.
The online store was launched in 2019, which shows how well these products are selling online, as it has consistently generated sales over those years.
The next step is to find a supplier for your coffee business on Shopify. Aliexpress offers plenty of options for potential suppliers with various styles, materials, and price points.
Therefore, you can choose a supplier who will enable you to hit your target profits!
When choosing an online supplier, consider the selling fees on Shopify and other miscellaneous expenses to ensure you can make selling coffee online profitable.
If you want to sell coffee beans on your Shopify coffee store, I would not suggest buying from Aliexpress. Instead, you can find a local coffee supplier for your online coffee store.
It helps to ensure the quality and freshness of the coffee beans, especially if you are looking for a specific product or variety.
However, you can use ZIK Analytics to perform a competitive analysis on other sellers of coffee products on Shopify to inform your selling strategy and marketing efforts.
Whether you are looking for a whole coffee bean or want to build a private label coffee shop, you can look at the current coffee trends and sales performance to make informed decisions.
Best Practices When Selling Coffee on Shopify
Three crucial factors must work together to ensure your success as an online coffee business: a good product, a well-optimized online store, and a reliable coffee supplier.
But there’s more to success with selling coffee online than these three. Let’s explore the best practices to help your coffee business thrive despite the stiff competition.
Know Your Target Audience
Defining your target market is the first yet most crucial step when starting an online coffee business. The only way to reach your online sales target is to identify your target audience.
Here are questions you must address to help identify your target audience and differentiate your online store in this competitive coffee industry:
- Who is your target demographic?
- What products do you want to sell?
- How would you like to sell coffee online?
You can establish what differentiates your online coffee store based on the answers above. For example, you can specialize in selling the strongest or rarest coffee beans. Another example would be to target consumers looking for organic, fair-trade coffee products.
Specialize in Coffee Products
This example is one way you can build a unique brand. This seller focuses on certified organic, fair-trade coffee.
This online store has established its own coffee brand and a loyal customer base, selling 457 times in the last 30 days and 114 times in the last seven days.
This product is sold in 20-oz packs, with an option to buy in bundles of 3 to save $5. It sells for $21.24, with a subscription option to save more.
The listing provides a clear and detailed product description showcasing the features and benefits of the product. It also includes a review section showcasing the product reviews from the clients who’ve purchased the item.
The sales data for this Clean Coffee product is impressive, especially since it was only listed early in 2024.
Here is another example of an online coffee business that has mastered selling coffee online. This product is vanilla-infused coffee, and the store is called Healthy Bean.
They specialize in selling coffee beans but are focused on low-acid and organic alternatives. Again, this seller knows its target audience and focuses on that demographic with their product selection. This product is available for $18.40, and it has sold 94 times in the last seven days (391 times in the last 30 days).
Choosing the best products to specialize in enables them to build a loyal customer base. The home page for this coffee online store showcases the benefits of choosing their coffee beans over others.
As you can see from the examples, you can differentiate your online coffee business to achieve your sales target. In an oversaturated industry, differentiation is a good marketing strategy for attracting more online customers.
Pick a Business Model
You already know your target audience and have an idea of what coffee products you want to sell. Now, it’s time to choose a business model.
Dropshipping is the most common and profitable business model for selling coffee online. You need to find a dropshipping supplier or coffee provider.
This business model works by outsourcing the inventory, packing, and shipping of products to a third-party company known as the dropshipping supplier.
It is beneficial for someone who wants to start selling coffee online but doesn’t have the capital investment to purchase an inventory of products.
Instead, you can build an online store and create your own coffee brand to sell products from suppliers.
Once you receive an order from online customers, you can pass their order information to your supplier and they will be the one to ship the item to your customers.
This business model relies heavily on finding the best and most reliable suppliers to maintain customer trust and keep consistent online sales.
Therefore, carefully evaluate your dropshipping suppliers for quality and reliability. Choose a supplier with good customer service, too.
[blog_callout_sec title=”Hot Tip” p=’Check out our recent article on Shopify business ideas.’]
Build a Winning Marketing Strategy
A good marketing strategy is critical to make money selling coffee. Marketing is a pillar for any business, especially with an e commerce business selling coffee.
First, coffee is a commodity product. While consumers are looking for coffee products online, you must realize many other coffee brands exist. You must use clear and consistent branding to attract more customers.
Plus, the idea of drinking coffee is a personal choice. Customers are more likely to buy coffee from brands that align with their values, such as those that focus on high-quality coffee beans or sustainably sourced ones.
Consider these factors when building a marketing strategy for your coffee business and thrive in a competitive market.
For this reason, you must have a solid social media marketing strategy to maintain an online presence. Social media is a powerful tool for e commerce businesses, as it helps build connections with your target customers and differentiate your brand from other coffee brands.
A compelling image or video is crucial when posting on social media or creating your product listing, whether it’s a coffee roasting machine or coffee beans.
The more visually arresting the images or videos are, the more likely they will receive engagement. Use visual imagery when crafting your coffee brand or engaging your audience online.
Final Thoughts
For many people, coffee is an integral part of their lives. Most people drink at least one cup of coffee per day. With such a high demand, not selling coffee online feels like a missed opportunity.
The forecast for the coffee industry is trending upward, which means that starting an online coffee shop allows you to target coffee lovers who are willing to spend money on coffee products that satisfy their caffeine-driven obsession.
Ready to Sell Coffee on Shopify?
Coffee is one of the most competitive niches online — success comes from knowing what really sells. The Shopify sales tracker reveals store performance, trending coffee items, and pricing strategies so you can refine your offers and grow with confidence. Use real Shopify data to scale your coffee business and turn daily demand into steady profit.
Frequently Asked Questions on How to Sell Coffee on Shopify
Here are some frequently asked questions on selling coffee on Shopify:
Can I sell coffee on Shopify?
Yes. Selling coffee online on Shopify is a profitable business idea. With a thriving coffee industry, there are many opportunities to generate a steady income stream.
Is coffee a good product to sell online?
Yes. Coffee is one of the high-demand products, and selling coffee online promises huge sales. It is especially profitable if you can build a loyal customer base and build your own coffee brand.
You can quickly sell these products online with various coffee products and a broad customer base.
What do I need to start selling coffee?
First, you must find a coffee supplier to provide the products you want to sell online. Then, you need to build an online store where you will showcase your coffee beans or other products.
A good marketing strategy is also important to excel in a competitive coffee industry, allowing you to build a unique brand and identify a target market.