In the past, teenagers looking to earn some extra cash would often do small jobs like mowing lawns, shoveling snow, or delivering newspapers. However, the opportunities were limited, and the pay was often not much. Today, the game has changed and teens have more options than ever before to start their own businesses. Retail arbitrage is a great small business for teens to start.
Retail arbitrage is a simple yet smart way to make money by buying products at a low price and selling them for a higher price on a different platform. This idea isn’t new, but it’s becoming more popular thanks to the popularity of online shopping. In this article, we will go over the reasons why a teen should look into doing retail arbitrage.
1 – Low start up costs
One of the biggest advantages of retail arbitrage is that it doesn’t need a lot of money to get started. This is especially appealing for teenagers who generally don’t have a lot of money to pour into a new company.
For example, a teenager could start by purchasing a few items on clearance from local stores or online retailers. Items such as books, toys, or any product that is on sale can be bought at a low price. The cost of these items plus the shipping for them make up the bulk of the upfront costs.
The nice thing is that chipping is only paid when you get an order so often, it is already paid and not really an upfront cost. Not only that but by researching sites such as for these Florida couriers they can often find good deals on shipping.
2 – Flexible and scalable
Teens have busy schedules, with schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and social commitments. The beauty of retail arbitrage is that it can be done on their own time. If they only have a few hours on the weekend, for example, there is plenty of time to buy, list, and ship items to their customers.
This flexibility is what also makes it very scalable. Teens can start small, with just a few items, and gradually grow their operations as they make more money to expand.
It also teaches them valuable lessons about how to handle a growing business, which is useful whether they keep expanding their retail arbitrage business or start something new later on.
3 – They’re already good with technology
Teenagers are really good with technology and social media. They know how to use the internet, smartphones, and apps better than anyone else. This gives them a big advantage when it comes to retail arbitrage, especially when selling things online.
Being good with technology also helps teens manage their online sales and marketing better. They can set up online shops, create attractive listings, and use social media to spread the word about what they’re selling. They can even find good deals on products that are in demand by using social media.