Selling on Takealot is one of the fastest ways to grow an ecommerce business in South Africa. But with more sellers joining every day, the difference between success and failure comes down to one thing: choosing the right product. The best Takealot sellers don’t rely on guesswork, they use data-driven product research to identify high-demand, low-competition opportunities. In this guide, we’ll break down how to research products step by step so you can confidently pick your next best-seller.

Why Product Research Matters

Too many new sellers pick products based on gut feel, what they like, or what they think might sell. The result? Inventory that gathers dust, cash tied up in unsold stock, and frustration.

Product research takes the emotion out of the process. By analyzing demand, competition, and profit margins, you can:

• Spot items shoppers are already buying on Takealot.

• Avoid oversaturated niches where it’s hard to stand out.

• Calculate profit margins before you invest in stock.

• Discover hidden subcategories with untapped potential.

Think of product research as your roadmap. It tells you where the demand is, how strong the competition is, and whether there’s room for you to win.

Step 1: Measure Demand

The first step is making sure there’s enough shopper interest. If nobody is searching for your product, it doesn’t matter how great it is.

Ways to measure demand:

• Takealot search bar autocomplete – Start typing a keyword (e.g. “air fryer…”) and see what suggestions appear. These are based on what people are actually searching for.

• Google Trends – Compare interest in different products over time. Are searches rising, steady, or declining?

• Amazon trend reports – What’s booming globally often arrives on Takealot 6–12 months later.

Look for consistent demand, not just short-term fads. A product with steady year-round sales is safer than a trend that spikes for a month then dies.

Step 2: Check Competition

Next, analyze how crowded the market is. Competition isn’t bad, it proves demand exists, but you don’t want to jump into an oversaturated niche.

Questions to ask:

• How many sellers are offering similar products? If there are hundreds of identical listings, breaking in will be tough.

• Who are the top sellers? If big brands dominate the first page, you’ll need a unique angle to compete.

• What gaps exist? Look for opportunities to differentiate. Maybe most listings have poor images, missing keywords, or weak reviews.

A smart seller looks for niches with demand but manageable competition.

Step 3: Calculate Profit Margins

Even if demand and competition look good, profit margins can kill your business if you don’t check them early.

To calculate:

1. Take your expected selling price.

2. Subtract Takealot’s fees (commission + VAT).

3. Subtract your landed cost (product + shipping + customs).

4. Subtract packaging and fulfilment costs.

Aim for at least 30% net margin after all costs. This gives you room to run promotions and survive price competition without going into the red.

Step 4: Explore Subcategories

Broad categories like Homeware, Beauty, or Electronics are always in demand, but they’re also the most competitive. The real gold often lies in subcategories.

For example:

• Instead of “kitchen appliances,” consider “air fryer accessories.”

• Instead of “beauty,” look at “men’s grooming kits” or “natural skincare.”

• Instead of “electronics,” explore “gaming chair accessories” or “wireless charging stands.”

Niche products attract highly targeted buyers, face less competition, and are easier to rank for in Takealot search results.

Step 5: Validate Before You Buy

Before you order stock, validate your idea.

• Look at sales rankings on Takealot to estimate how many units top sellers move each month.

• Read reviews to see what buyers complain about — this is where you can improve.

• Check seasonal demand to avoid dead stock (e.g. beach umbrellas in winter).

Even placing a small test order can help you prove demand before scaling up.

Key Takeaways

• Don’t guess, use data to find winning products.

• Demand, competition, and profit margins are the three pillars of good research.

• Subcategories often hold the best opportunities for new Takealot sellers.

• Always validate before buying in bulk.

The Takealot marketplace is growing fast, but that means competition is heating up. Sellers who approach product research strategically, using tools, data, and validation, will always outperform those who follow their gut. Your next best-seller is out there. The question is: are you using data to find it?