Where's the high demand for products, and how do you discover which items sell best on platforms like bol.com? That's the question every (starting) online seller is concerned about. The Dutch e-commerce market grows annually, and the offerings on marketplaces are getting bigger. But not every product sells equally well. To be successful, you need to know which products are popular, what trends are playing out, and how to use data to make informed decisions. In this comprehensive article, we'll discuss everything you need to know about in-demand products - from seasonal items to evergreen categories - so you can make the right choices for your online business.
Where's the high demand for products in 2026?
Demand for products varies greatly per category, season, and platform. On bol.com, we've seen for years that certain product categories consistently perform well. The key is to look not only at popular categories but also at the competition and your own margins. Below, you'll find an overview of the most in-demand product categories in 2026 based on search volume and sales data.
| Product category | Average monthly search volume | Competition level | Average margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electronics & accessories | 320,000+ | High | 15-25% |
| Health & care | 250,000+ | Average | 25-40% |
| Toys & games | 210,000+ | High | 20-35% |
| Clothing & accessories | 190,000+ | Average | 30-50% |
| Home & living | 170,000+ | Average | 25-40% |
| Garden & DIY | 140,000+ | Low-Average | 20-35% |
| Sports & outdoor | 120,000+ | Average | 20-30% |
| Baby & kids | 95,000+ | Average | 25-35% |
As you can see, electronics and health & care are the categories with the highest search volume. But high search volume doesn't automatically mean it's the best choice. A category with slightly lower search volume but less competition can be much more profitable. With the Boloo Product Tracker, you can easily analyze sales data for individual products to discover the best opportunities.
Seasonal products: capitalizing on peaks in demand
A large part of the demand for products is seasonal. Smart sellers play into this by adjusting their product range according to the time of year. Below, you'll find an overview of the most important seasonal peaks and the corresponding product categories.
Spring (March–May)
In the spring, demand for garden items explodes. Think garden furniture, plant pots, garden lighting, barbecues, and gardening tools. Sports and fitness items also do well as people become more active after winter. Products like yoga mats, running shoes, and resistance bands are popular.
Summer (June–August)
The summer months are ideal for outdoor toys, swimming pools, camping gear, sunscreen, and fans. Travel accessories like suitcases, power banks, and universal adapters also see a peak in demand. Water fun items like water guns and inflatable toys are real winners.
Autumn (September–November)
With the start of the school year, demand for school supplies, backpacks, and desk accessories increases. Raincoats, umbrellas, and boots sell well. In November, the holiday rush begins: Black Friday causes a huge peak in electronics, toys, and gift items.
Winter (December–February)
The winter period revolves around Sinterklaas, Christmas, and New Year's. Toys, games, books, and gift items dominate. Additionally, there's a high demand for heating products, thick clothing, woolen blankets, and mood lighting. After the holidays, we see a surge in fitness equipment - the classic "New Year's resolutions" effect.
Evergreen products: consistently high demand all year round
Besides seasonal products, there are categories that sell steadily throughout the year. These so-called evergreen products form a reliable foundation for your online business. Examples include:
- Phone accessories - Cases, screen protectors, chargers, and cables. As long as people use smartphones, demand remains high.
- Household items - Cleaning products, kitchen utensils, storage solutions, and trash bags are daily essentials.
- Skin care - Creams, serums, sunscreens, and cleansing products. The beauty industry grows annually.
- Office supplies - Pens, notebooks, desk lamps, and ergonomic accessories.
- Kids' products - Diapers, bottles, baby toys, and children's clothing.
The advantage of evergreen products is predictability: you can better plan for inventory, shipping, and marketing. Combine evergreen products with seasonal items for an optimal mix of stability and growth opportunities.
How do you discover what's in high demand? Data-driven product research
Successful product selection starts with data. Instead of relying on intuition, use concrete numbers to determine where there's high demand for products. Below, we describe the most important methods.
Keyword research on bol.com
Keyword research is the first and most reliable step. By analyzing how often certain terms are searched on bol.com, you get direct insight into actual demand. Type a search term into the Boloo Search Volume Database and you'll see the monthly search volume, related search terms, and trends over time.
Let's say you're interested in selling electric toothbrushes. A keyword analysis shows you that "electric toothbrush" is searched over 80,000 times per month on bol.com. Additionally, you discover related search terms like "electric toothbrush for kids" and "electric toothbrush replacement heads" that offer extra opportunities.
Competitor analysis and market position
Besides search volume, it's essential to analyze the competition. How many sellers offer the same product? What are their prices? How are their reviews? With the Boloo Product Database, you can compare all sellers of a product and estimate whether there's room to differentiate yourself.
A product with 50,000 searches per month and only 10 sellers is much more attractive than a product with 100,000 searches and 500 sellers. The search volume/competition ratio is one of the most valuable indicators when determining where there's high demand for products.
Product tracking: sales data in real-time
Once you've identified interesting products, the next step is to track sales data. With a product tracker, you follow daily how many units are sold, what the revenue is, and how the price and number of sellers develop.
Track multiple products simultaneously and compare the results after a few weeks. This way, you make informed decisions based on real sales data instead of assumptions. Note that you should track for at least 2-3 weeks, as some products fluctuate strongly on a weekly basis.
Trending products in 2026: where is demand rising?
Beyond proven categories, there are new trends every year. In 2026, we're seeing a rise in demand in the following niches:
| Trend | Example products | Growth percentage (year-over-year) |
|---|---|---|
| Sustainable products | Reusable water bottles, bamboo products, biodegradable packaging | +35% |
| Smart home devices | Smart plugs, LED strips, robot vacuum cleaners | +28% |
| Health monitoring | Smartwatches, blood pressure monitors, sleep trackers | +22% |
| Home fitness | Dumbbells, resistance bands, yoga blocks | +18% |
| Pet products | Automatic feeders, GPS trackers, toys | +15% |
| Ergonomic work | Standing desks, monitor arms, ergonomic mice | +20% |
These trends are driven by societal changes: increased awareness of sustainability, the rise of remote work, and a growing importance of health. By getting in on these trends early, you can get a head start on your competitors.
Common mistakes when choosing products
Many sellers make the same mistakes when determining where there's high demand for products. By knowing these pitfalls, you significantly increase your chances of success.
1. Only looking at popularity
A product can be extremely popular, but if there are 200 sellers competing on price, you'll be left with little margin. Always look at the combination of demand and supply. A niche market with lower search volume but higher margins is often more profitable.
2. Not considering logistics
Large or heavy products have higher shipping costs. When calculating your margin, always factor in the costs of shipping via bol.com. With the Boloo Profit Calculator, you can calculate in seconds whether a product is actually profitable, including commission, shipping, and VAT.
3. Judging too quickly based on short periods
A product that sells well for one week may not be a long-term winner. Use at least 2-4 weeks of data before making a purchasing decision. Seasonal spikes and weekend effects can distort the results.
4. Ignoring regulations
Certain product categories have strict requirements. Electronics must be CE-certified, toys must meet safety standards, and cosmetics have specific labeling requirements. Make sure you're aware of the CE marking and regulations before importing products.
5. Not using available tools
Many sellers rely on gut feelings instead of data. With tools like a product tracker, keyword database, and ranking checker, you can make objective decisions that drastically increase your chances of success.
Step-by-step: from product idea to first sale
Now that you know where there's high demand for products, here's a concrete action plan to go from research to actual sales:
- Brainstorm product ideas - Create a list of 10-20 products that appeal to you and that you think are in demand.
- Keyword research - Check the search volume of each product idea. Products with less than 1,000 searches per month are usually not interesting enough.
- Competitor analysis - Look at how many providers there are, what their prices are, and what their reviews look like. Look for gaps in the market.
- Product tracking - Track your top 5 candidates for at least 2 weeks to collect real sales data.
- Margin calculation - Calculate whether the product is profitable after deducting the purchase price, commission, shipping costs, and VAT.
- Find a supplier - Find a reliable supplier via Alibaba, local wholesalers, or European distributors.
- Listing optimization - Create a professional product listing with optimized titles, descriptions, and images.
- Launch and monitoring - Start with a small stock and monitor your sales daily. Adjust your strategy based on data.
The role of suppliers in in-demand products
Once you know where there's a high demand for products, you also need to find a reliable supplier. Your supplier choice directly affects your purchase price, quality, and delivery times. Popular options for bol.com sellers in the Netherlands are:
- Alibaba - For private label products and large quantities from China. Note the minimum order quantities and longer delivery times.
- European wholesalers - Faster delivery and no import duties, but often higher purchase prices. Ideal for testing new products.
- Local suppliers - The fastest option with the lowest threshold. Good for the first steps as a seller.
- Dropshipping suppliers - No inventory needed, but lower margins and less control over shipping. Check out our guide on dropshipping via bol.com for more information.
Conclusion: make data-driven choices
The question "where is there a high demand for products" has no universal answer - it depends on the category, season, competition, and your own business model. What is universal, however, is the approach: use data to back up your decisions. Combine keyword research, competitor analysis, and product tracking to make the best possible product choices. Start small, test with data, and scale up what works. With the right tools and strategy, you'll discover exactly where the most opportunities lie for your bol.com business.
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