Blog Post

The Top Collectibles Markets for Shopify Success In 2023

June 24, 2023

Introduction

Collectibles have always been a lucrative market, often driven by nostalgia, personal passion, and the thrill of owning a piece of history. However, in the last few years, the market has ascended to a new level, growing massively since 2020. Traditionally, collectibles have been sold on secondary markets such as eBay and Amazon or in places like auction houses. Now though, the growth of the industry means it is truly scalable, and thus you may want to consider setting up a Shopify store of your own as opposed to relying on other platforms. Alternatively, you could always list your items on all three of Shopify, Amazon, and eBay to have the largest potential consumer base. This can be a long and tedious process though. Luckily, Juiced can help you with that. Our app automatically imports your sales, orders, and more all into one central hub so try it out for free today!

Without further ado though, here are our favorite collectibles markets to tap into via a  Shopify store in 2023. 

Contemporary Art

The art market has always been one of the most lucrative collectibles markets but recently things have been taken to a whole new level. The Art Basel and UBS Global Art Market Report valued the overall art market at $65.1 billion in 2021, representing a 29% annual increase. Meanwhile, 2022 saw Christie’s make a record-breaking sale of Andy Warhol’s “Shot Sage Blue Marilyn” (1964) for $195 million.

Often considered to be overly traditional in how it operates, the rise of online platforms and the proliferation of contemporary art have democratized this market. Contemporary artists often work across a variety of mediums and styles, catering to a diverse audience. Chances are you’re not going to be selling $195 million Andy Warhol pieces on Shopify but there is still opportunity.  With a Shopify store, you can bring art to an even wider demographic. You can either resell art pieces on your store or you can consider partnering with emerging artists who are on the brink of their breakthrough. By offering their work, you can not only draw in art enthusiasts but also create a unique identity for your store.

Comics

With the rise in popularity of comic-based movies and TV shows like the MCU, there’s been an increase in demand for comic books. Navigating this market can be challenging, but a Shopify store offering a mix of key issues for serious collectors, alongside more affordable options for casual fans, can seriously tap into this market by ensuring you have an option for buyers of all budgets. 
The most collectible and popular comics are usually those featuring the first appearances of popular characters or key story arcs.  For example, in 2021 A mid-grade (5.0) copy of Detective Comics #27, featuring the first appearance of Batman sold for $1.125 million. That brings us to the next key point to consider when buying and selling comic books. Condition is key in this market and a comic book in graded mint condition could fetch prices many times more than the same issue in a poor ungraded state. CGC Comics is currently the most popular comic-book grading company. When it comes to selling on Shopify you should consider whether you want to sell either graded or ungraded comics or a mix of both.

Toys and Action Figures 

According to Grandview Research, the global toy market was worth $291 billion in 2021, rising to $308 billion the following year. Clearly with such a large market comes an opportunity to sell on Shopify. Reselling and investing in the likes of Mattel Creations, Lego, and more has become popular in recent years with research revealing Lego sets have actually outperformed the stock market in the last few years.  But it is not just Lego that can be profitable in this market.

Whether it’s vintage Star Wars figures or the latest Funko Pop! releases, there’s a broad spectrum of items to consider stocking, which is what makes this such an opportunity. As with most markets, limited edition and exclusive releases are the jewels of the crown here, and being able to source and offer these items can put your store ahead of the competition. An example of these styles of products is those released on Mattel Creations. Mattel has licenses for the likes of WWE, Barbie, and Hot Wheels, all of which are highly popular brands. If you want to stay up to date with all the latest and most profitable Mattel Creations releases and much more including sneakers, collectibles, and NFTs then you can sign up to Juiced here.

Trading Cards and Sports Cards

No collectibles market has arguably seen a more sudden and dramatic rise than the trading card market has seen. Cards are not just simple pieces of cardboard anymore. They’re essentially tangible assets that encapsulate nostalgia, artwork, and sometimes, hefty investment returns. This can be said for both sports cards and trading card games (TCGs) like Pokemon. The resurgence of Pokemon cards, buoyed by celebrity endorsements like Logan Paul and a strong community of collectors, has been remarkable. We still regularly see six-figure sales today, albeit their not as frequent as they were in 2021 and 2022.

The same can be said for sports cards made by the likes of Topps and Panini. Selling either sealed boxes from either of these companies or single cards can be a highly lucrative Shopify store model. For sports fans, rookie cards or autograph cards of popular athletes are the biggest draws. Like with comics, it’s important to familiarize yourself with card grading practices. Cards in mint or near-mint condition with high grades from reputable companies like PSA or Beckett are usually worth the most money whilst cards or even boxes in poor condition can be worth a lot less. 

Conclusion

In conclusion, Shopify offers the tools and platform for you to tap into these lucrative markets. It can be a better option than the likes of eBay if you get to grow your store. By understanding the nuances of each market, keeping a pulse on the trends, and offering a diverse and quality catalog, you can create a successful business within the collectibles market.