What to Scan for Retail Arbitrage: A Guide for New Amazon FBA Sellers
Starting out in Retail Arbitrage (RA) on Amazon FBA can feel overwhelming, especially when faced with thousands of products to choose from. A common question new sellers ask is, “What should I scan for retail arbitrage?” The simple answer is: scan everything. While this may seem broad, scanning as many items as possible helps you identify profitable products, understand what you are restricted in, and build confidence in making sourcing decisions.
Why You Should Scan Everything
When you are just starting, you may not know what categories or brands you are allowed to sell. By scanning a wide variety of products, you will:
Learn which items are restricted and which are open for you to sell.
Discover categories with high-profit potential.
Recognize patterns in clearance and seasonal pricing.
Many successful sellers began their journey by scanning entire clearance aisles, noting what sells well, and returning to stock up on profitable items.
What to Scan for Retail Arbitrage and Where to Start
1. Walmart Clearance Aisles
Walmart clearance aisles are a great place to begin. Often, products placed in clearance are still sold at full price in other locations or online, creating opportunities for arbitrage.
2. Discount Retailers
Stores like TJ Maxx, Marshalls, and Grocery Outlet frequently carry discontinued or seasonal products that can be flipped for a profit. Even if an item has been sitting on the shelf for a while, it is worth scanning because prices fluctuate. Some discontinued products regain profitability over time as supply diminishes.
3. Category-Specific Retailers
Exploring different types of stores beyond big-box retailers can uncover new opportunities:
Office Supply Stores: Items such as planners, notebooks, and printer ink can yield strong profits.
Health & Beauty Stores: Discontinued skincare, haircare, and cosmetics often hold value.
Toy Stores: Store-specific toy brands, such as My Life As Dolls at Walmart or Our Generation Dolls at Target, tend to be easier to sell since they are not restricted like major brands.
Want to stay ahead in sourcing profitable products and know what to scan for Retail Arbitrage? Join the Retail Arbitrage BOLO Group for Amazon sellers to get exclusive product leads and insights.
How to Identify Profitable Items
After scanning, consider the following before purchasing:
Sales Rank: Lower ranks generally indicate faster sales.
Competition: Check the number of sellers offering the product.
Profit Margins: Look for items with at least a $5 profit after fees.
Price Stability: Use Keepa to track historical pricing trends and avoid temporary price spikes.
Categories Recommended for New Sellers
Many new sellers find that they are restricted in toys, grocery, and certain health & beauty products. However, there are still great categories to start in:
Office Supplies: Items such as planners and calculators are often ungated for new sellers.
Backpacks & Bags: Store-brand backpacks are frequently open for new sellers.
Household Essentials: Some cleaning supplies and organizers are ungated.
If you are restricted in high-demand categories, consider investing in our ungating service included with the BOLO Group!
Want to fast-track your success? Join the Retail Arbitrage BOLO Group to connect with experienced sellers and gain access to profitable sourcing opportunities.
How to Get Ungated
Many sellers assume they need a certain number of sales before they can get ungated, but in reality, brand and category approvals are often granted through invoice submissions from authorized distributors. Investing in ungating early can significantly expand your sourcing opportunities and profitability.
Online Arbitrage and How to Scan Virtually
Retail arbitrage does not have to be limited to in-store sourcing. Online Arbitrage (OA) follows the same principles—you just scan product images instead of barcodes.
Visit store websites and check clearance or sale sections.
Use Amazon’s seller app or scan the item’s barcode from your screen.
Search for items by name if scanning an image does not work.
Many sellers find success by sourcing discounted products online and flipping them through Amazon FBA.
How Much to Invest in Inventory
One of the biggest concerns for new sellers is knowing how much to reinvest into sourcing. A practical strategy is:
Start with a small amount, such as $500–$750.
Use profits from initial sales to reinvest in more inventory.
Avoid withdrawing earnings too early—focus on scaling inventory first.
By following this approach, many sellers build up their inventory over three to six months before consistently pulling out profits.
Final Tips for New Sellers
Be patient: Success takes time, and mistakes are part of the process.
Keep scanning: Even if a product was unprofitable in the past, it may be profitable now.
Join sourcing groups: Networking with other sellers can help you find profitable items faster.
If you want to find profitable products faster and more efficiently, join the Retail Arbitrage BOLO Group today and gain exclusive access to must-have sourcing leads and expert insights.
Retail arbitrage is all about consistency. The more you scan, the better you will understand which products sell well, making each sourcing trip more efficient and profitable. Keep scanning, learning, and refining your strategy to build a successful Amazon business.
