Making it BIG by focusing small

Posted on August 10, 2008 by Asi Erenberg

16 Fast Growing Online Niche Retailers

In recent years, niche online retailers have posted some of the fastest growth rates among the Internet Retailer’s Top 500 biggest web businesses (measured in annual revenue). 2007 was no exception. Among those Top 500 companies earning at least 30% growth in revenue year over year, around 3 in 4 were specialty stores or specialty store conglomerates.

In descending order:

1. Diapers.com grew its annual sales by 227.3% from $11 million in 2006 to $36 million in 2007

2. SmithCo Holdings grew 194% from $2.9 million in 2006 to $8.5 million in 2007. Among their sites are Aquasuperstore.com and ShopByTheRoom.com,

3. Cymax Stores Inc., up 159.6% from $12.5 million in 2006 to $32.5 million in 2007. Launched in 2005, Cymax is a conglomerate of 150 niche furniture & electronic web retailer sites, including BabyCribStation.com, BeanBagSelect.com, and BakersRacksCollection.com.

4. LA Police Gear Inc., up 137.5% to $19 million.

5. Designer Plumbing Outlet grew its annual sales by 126.2% from $4.2 million in 2006 to $9.5 million in 2007 with two sites focusing plumbing products, DesignerPlumbingOutlet.com and DesignerFaucetOutlet.com.

6. Select Shops, up 97% from $13 million in 2006 to $25.6 million in 2007; sites include SelectRugs.com and SelectBlinds.com.

7. CSN Stores Inc. grew its annual sales by 83.64% from $110 million in 2006 to $202 million in 2007. CSN Stores now totals 250 specialty online stores.

8. IVGstores.com, up by 79.31% from $11.6 million to $20.8 million; their 225 sites include Folding-Tables-Folding-Chairs.com, Ping-Pong-Table-Tennis.com, and PokerTableShowroom.com.

9. Hangers.com grew its annual sales by 70.3% from $5 million in 2006 to $8.6 million in 2007.

10. Ice.com Inc. grew annual sales by 70% from $49 million in 2006 to $83.4 million in 2007. The company also owns Diamond.com.

11. Kaboose Inc, up 57.45% from $4.7 million in 2006 to $7.4 million. Their sites include BabyZone.com, ParentZone.com, AmazingMoms.com, BirthdayInABox.com, and TwoPeasInABucket.com.

12. BizChair.com grew its annual sales by 57% from $24.1 million in 2006 to $38 million in 2007.

13. Shoppers Choice.com LLC, with 4 niche stores focusing on the BBQ arena, grew their annual sales by 51% from $8.9 million in 2006 up to $13.5 million. Among their sites are BBQguys.com and TheGrillStoreAndMore.com.

14. Net Shops Inc—with 230 niche stores—grew its annual sales by 50% from $115 million in 2006 to $172 million in 2007.

15. Pets United LLC grew annual sales by 41% from $34.6 million in 2006 to $48.8 million in 2007. Pets United operates Dog.com, Horse.com, Ferret.com, Bird.com, and Fish.com.

16. Online Stores Inc increased revenue by 30% from $12.3 million in 2006 to $16 million in 2007. Stores include Stroller.com, U.S.FlagStore.com, EnglishTeaStore.com, and DiscountSafetyGear.com.

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