Starting a dropshipping business is hands down one of the most desirable, and therefore the fastest growing business model in today’s e-commerce world. Due to the low barriers to entry, almost a third of all online businesses now operate as dropshippers. Running a dropshipping retail business can save you labor and money on the fulfillment and logistics of your business. Ultimately, this means that you can spend more time on other important aspects like customer service and marketing that would help convert visitors into buying customers at higher prices. There are two important things to keep in mind when starting a dropshipping business, one is the product you want to offer your customers and the supplier you are going to source your goods from. In previous articles, we covered the most popular types of sunglasses, women’s handbags, and most popular watches that you can dropship. So we are now focusing on another key category, which is men’s shoes.
Before we jump straight to our list, let’s give a quick overview of how shoes were made. Shoes have been part of human culture from the very beginning as the genetic changes in our bodies resulted in more sensitive feet. It is believed that people have been wearing some kind of protection on their feet against climatic conditions for about 50,000 years. However, the earliest example of real footwear, which was a pair of sandals and was found in California, dates back to about 9,000 years ago. Before the Middle Ages, shoes were very simple, usually the feet were wrapped in fabric or leather. Structured and large shoes did not become common until the 14th century, when shoes were also differentiated according to gender and rank. But shoes were not only produced in large numbers until 1850, when the first shoe factories were founded. Equipped with modern machines designed to mimic certain processes previously performed by hand, such as the sewing machine invented in France in the 1830s, shoes were made relatively inexpensively and quickly. This resulted in the numerous styles, colors, and designs of shoes available in the market today.
This article will give you an overview of the men’s shoe market and the best type of drop shipping shoes to better understand the dynamics of the shoe market and drive business success.
Why is men’s shoe dropshipping profitable?
Because of the wide range of options that men can choose from these days, the constant demand for novelty and multiple pairs of shoes has emerged and is increasing all the time. The global footwear market was estimated at $ 365.5 billion in 2020 and is projected to reach $ 530.3 billion by 2027 with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5%. Since men have less leeway when it comes to using accessories in their outfits, they tend to place more emphasis on shoes than women. This can be seen in the overall market share of men’s shoes, as they make up 55% of the total shoe market and this leading position is expected to remain unchanged in the coming years.
If you are looking to enter the profitable dropshipping men’s shoes market, this article will bring you the best styles of shoes that are hot and selling well right now and will continue for years to come. But knowing the styles you need to source is not enough to be successful in the competitive landscape we live in today. Finding the most suitable supplier for your business is inevitable, whether you are selling designer shoes, luxury sneakers, or any other style.
Casual shoes for men
The casual segment is definitely a must when it comes to dropshipping shoes for men. Regardless of age and other demographics, every man has at least one pair of casual shoes in his closet that he can wear on a daily basis. Casual shoes for men are quite a broad category, but they can be recognized by their structure. This is usually a more voluminous look, fabrics such as canvas and leather and they usually have a flat rubber sole. Casual shoes can be laced as well as laceless. In the case of laces, they tend to be thicker and either flat or round when compared to their formal counterparts. This category can include sneakers, espadrilles, boat and driving shoes, and slippers. Casual shoes can be worn on occasions where comfort and personal expression are important, such as going out to the city center. An example of such casual styles to offer in your dropshipping shop is this pair of Velvet casual shoes from Dolce & Gabbana that will definitely grab the attention of your potential male buyers.
Formal shoes for men
When it comes to dressing up in suits, blazers, shirts, and pants, a formal pair of shoes that match the outfit is required. Also known as dress shoes, men’s shoes are inevitable when it comes to occasions where compliance and convention are important. These events can include weddings, business meetings, or visits to the theater. Formal shoes are usually slender in shape and darker in color than their casual counterparts. They are usually designed with laces that are typically thinner than casual shoes and are usually round and waxed to keep up with finer outfits. In addition, formal shoes have a separate heel area on their sole and are more likely to be made of leather, but can also be a combination of leather and rubber, depending on the desired properties such as durability, weather conditions and comfort. Some examples of formal shoes with thin, elegant laces and soles made of leather and rubber are Dolce & Gabbana’s Derby Formal Men’s Shoes or Saxone of Scotland Leather Men’s Oxford Shoes, which are available at wholesale prices on BrandsGateway’s marketplace.
Loafers for men
If you are planning to start dropshipping shoes or want to expand your product offering, make sure you include different types of men’s slippers that are very trendy right now. When people return to the office and have to take off their slippers, they look for stylish, yet comfortable shoes that complement their professional outfit. Loafers are a great option if you’re looking for a laceless shoe that is just as comfortable all day. With the boom in loafers’ popularity, you never had more choices to list them in your store, whether you wanted to sell models from an established luxury brand or an up-and-coming startup label. They are also available in multiple versions and styles such as the widely used penny loafer, the tassel loafer or the Belgian loafer. Some of these styles are already part of BrandsGateway’s men’s shoe catalog, in particular the Penny Loafers from Saxone of Scotland in calfskin and the Loafers Loafers in red from Dolce & Gabbana, which were designed with a mix of high-quality materials such as silk and linen.
Boots for men
With the colder months inevitably creeping up on us, it is imperative for every man to add a pair of boots to his closet to keep his feet dry and warm. Men’s boots can be a great addition to your store selection when dropshipping men’s shoes, especially timeless styles like this Chelsea boots and the Derby boots that can be worn all year round and can be the perfect travel companion for both business and leisure travel. Two premium models that you should equip your dropshipping shop with are Dolce & Gabbana’s Derby Leather Boots and Saxone of Scotland’s Chelsea Men’s Calfskin Boots.
The upper part of boots is usually made of real leather, which means that they naturally conform to the shape of your feet and are so comfortable that you will never want to take them off again. As for soles, when selling seasonal boots for fall and winter, be sure to steer clear of boots with leather soles and wear boots with rubber soles or a mixture of leather and rubber. The reason for this is that rubber soles offer a much better grip on whatever surfaces your customers might want to use them on, especially in harsher weather conditions.
Men’s sneakers
The global market for sneakers is estimated at $ 78.6 billion in 2021 and is expected to continue growing, reaching $ 102 billion in the world by 2025, both due to the pandemic and the fact that people have a better work-life balance and have more free time.
Sneakers were originally designed for sports and physical activity, but as the athleisure trend continued, they also found their way into men’s everyday wardrobes. For these reasons, when dropshipping men’s shoes, make sure to include sneakers in your shop’s offerings. They usually have a sporty and flexible rubber sole, but can also be supplied with a sole made of synthetic materials. The upper part of sneakers can be made of either canvas, leather, or some other synthetic material that promotes comfort. Nowadays there are sneakers in every shape and form. Philipp Plein Sport White sneakers, for example, can be integrated into a more casual look where boots or loafers would be too much, but the goal is still to present a neat yet casual style. The elegant Blue Leather Sneakers from Dolce & Gabbana are also a great choice for customers who opt for a more elegant business-casual look.
Sandals for men
In the warmer months, when it is time for your clients to retire their boots and high-top sneakers, men’s sandals can be a great option for those looking to achieve a more casual style. Not only can these types of shoes be the coolest to-go option for hot summer days, but they can also serve as a more stylish alternative to sneakers in the summer. There are two main categories when it comes to sandals, one is the functional version with woven straps and the other is the classic leathers that will make you dress in linen shirts. Dolce & Gabbana’s popular men’s leather sandals could be a great addition to your store for those men who want to take off their sneakers and put on sandals during the hot months.
Moccasins for men
No man can have an entire summer shoe collection without a pair of moccasins in it. Moccasins were originally worn by tribes like the Indians. Men’s moccasins are known for their U-shaped toes, but they come in a variety of shapes and materials such as suede, leather, and fabric. These shoes can be a great choice for semi-formal occasions all summer long as they are elegant enough to go with bespoke pants and a shirt. If your store offers dropshipping shoes for men, make sure you have different types of moccasins in your spring and summer collections, such as these leather moccasins from Dolce & Gabbana in orange or white.
Conclude
Adding the aforementioned men’s shoes to your dropshipping shop can effectively increase traffic to your website and inspire your visitors to not just buy a single item, but opt for a complete look. Especially when you have a wide variety of seasonal and evergreen shoes that appeal to a wider audience. As a dropshipper, it is important that you work with a top notch dropshipping provider so that not only can you get regular access to new styles, but you can also ensure that you are selling the highest quality products to your customers.
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Why is men’s shoe dropshipping profitable?
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Conclude
