In the booming world of e-commerce, platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho offer excellent opportunities for individuals to start their own online business by selling brand-name products without owning a factory or warehouse. Whether you’re looking for a full-time venture or a side income, reselling branded products can be highly rewarding—if done right.
Step-by-Step: How to Start an E-Commerce Business Selling Brand Products
1. Choose the Right Marketplace
Each platform offers different advantages:
- Amazon: Best for branded electronics, personal care, kitchen, and home products.
- Flipkart: Strong in fashion, electronics, and Indian brands.
- Meesho: Ideal for resellers with low/no upfront investment, great for clothing, cosmetics, and home items.
You can sell on one or all platforms depending on your product category and bandwidth.
2. Register as a Seller
To start selling branded products:
- GST Number (mandatory for Amazon/Flipkart; optional on Meesho up to ₹40 lakh turnover)
- PAN Card (Personal or Business)
- Bank Account
- Active Mobile Number and Email
- Trademark or Brand Authorization if reselling branded goods
➡️ Visit these links to register:
3. Choose the Right Branded Products
You can become a reseller or distributor for well-known D2C brands like:
- The Derma Co, Minimalist, mCaffeine, Mamaearth
- Ustraa, WOW Skin Science, Plum, Dot & Key
- Boat, Realme, Zebronics, etc.
Approach brand representatives/distributors and obtain authorization letters or dealership rights. Alternatively, purchase in bulk from wholesalers or B2B platforms like IndiaMART, Udaan, or TradeIndia.
Investment Needed
| Expense Category | Approx. Cost (₹) |
|---|---|
| Initial Product Stock | ₹20,000 – ₹1,00,000 |
| Packaging Materials | ₹2,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Amazon/Flipkart Subscription | ₹1,000 – ₹5,000/month |
| Meesho (Free listing) | ₹0 |
| GST & Legal Setup | ₹3,000 – ₹5,000 |
| Branding & Photoshoots | ₹5,000 – ₹10,000 (optional) |
| Misc. (Returns, shipping buffer) | ₹5,000+ |
➡️ Total Investment: ₹25,000 to ₹1.5 lakh (can start small and scale)
Example: Branded Product Metrics (e.g., Derma Co Sunscreen)
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Buying Price from Distributor | ₹350 |
| Selling Price on Amazon | ₹499 |
| Amazon Commission (15%) | ₹74.85 |
| Shipping Fee (avg.) | ₹30 |
| Packaging Cost | ₹10 |
| Net Profit per Unit | ₹34.15 |
| Monthly Sale (100 units) | ₹3,415 |
| Monthly Sale (500 units) | ₹17,075 |
With 5–10 products in portfolio, your monthly income can go up to ₹30,000–₹75,000.
Key Metrics to Track
- Sales Volume – Number of units sold per product per platform.
- ACOS (Advertising Cost of Sales) – Especially for Amazon sponsored ads.
- Return Rate – Try to keep under 5–10%.
- Profit Margin – Minimum 20–25% per product is ideal.
- Ratings & Reviews – Impacts ranking and visibility.
- Inventory Turnover – Fast-moving stock = more profits.
- Fulfillment Mode:
- FBA (Fulfillment by Amazon): Amazon handles storage/delivery.
- Self-ship or Easy Ship: You manage stock and delivery.
- Flipkart Smart or Meesho logistics: Use their logistics network.
How to Scale the Business
- Start with 3–5 branded products in 1–2 niches (e.g., skincare or kitchen).
- Reinvest profits into more stock and ad campaigns.
- Automate with tools like Zoho Inventory, GoFrugal, or Unicommerce.
- Expand to private labelling or white-label products in the long run.
- Get brand authorization to avoid listing issues or takedowns.
Bonus: Tips for Success
- Use Amazon/Flipkart Ads to boost visibility in early weeks.
- On Meesho, offer cash-on-delivery and promote via WhatsApp groups.
- Optimize product titles, keywords, and photos for search visibility.
- Maintain excellent customer service and fast delivery times.
- Watch your account health to avoid suspensions.
Conclusion
Starting an e-commerce business selling branded products on Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho is not only low-risk, but also highly scalable. With a modest investment and good product strategy, even beginners can make ₹25,000–₹1 lakh+ per month in profit.
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