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You know the feeling—you’re scrolling through your social media feed, and every influencer seems to be rocking something from a brand that’s everywhere.
What’s the secret? How do these brands break through the noise and build Shopify empires? Well, you’re about to find out.
In this article, we’ll explore 10 of the most successful Shopify stores, dive into their revenue figures, and uncover the marketing strategies that made them titans of ecommerce.
Whether you’re running a Shopify store yourself or just curious about the big players, this list has valuable lessons for every entrepreneur.
10 of the most successful Shopify stores
Let’s dive right into the details of 10 of the most successful Shopify stores and uncover the strategies that have propelled them to the top.
1. Allbirds
Allbirds is a great Shopify store example. They have become the go-to brand for eco-conscious shoe lovers.
Known for their ultra-comfy sneakers made from merino wool and eucalyptus fibers, Allbirds has carved out a niche as the “sustainable” sneaker brand. They’ve built an empire on the promise of “better things in a better way.”
Industry: Eco-friendly footwear
Revenue: Allbirds raked in $280 million in 2022, and their growth shows no signs of slowing down. With their sustainability mission front and center, they’ve won over eco-conscious shoppers worldwide.
Marketing strategies:
- Sustainability as a brand value: Allbirds markets heavily on sustainability, turning it into a core value rather than just a buzzword. This resonates with today’s eco-minded consumers.
- Word-of-mouth and PR: Rather than relying on traditional ads, Allbirds has built brand loyalty through product excellence and social proof. Their simple, clean visuals also speak volumes.
- Strategic partnerships: Collaborations with eco-conscious influencers and celebrities, like Leonardo DiCaprio, give the brand more visibility in the crowded footwear market.
Recommended reading: How Allbirds Went from a Small Startup to a Billion-dollar Sneaker Brand in 4 Years
2. Stanley
Stanley’s Shopify store is best known for its high-quality insulated mugs, tumblers, and water bottles.
The brand has a rich history, originally founded in 1913, but it’s in the past few years that it’s truly taken off, especially among outdoor enthusiasts and Instagram influencers.
Industry: Drinkware
Revenue: Stanley’s parent company, PMI, reported sales exceeding $1 billion, with a significant chunk of that coming from their Shopify-powered e-commerce.
Marketing strategies:
- Influencer endorsements: Stanley has effectively tapped into the influencer market, getting their products into the hands of outdoor adventurers, celebrities, and Instagram influencers.
- Content marketing: Through storytelling and lifestyle content, Stanley has built an emotional connection with its customers—appealing to both the adventurous and eco-conscious segments.
- Product expansion: They’ve continuously expanded their product lines, introducing new designs, limited-edition items, and collaborations with brands like REI to keep their audience engaged.
Recommended reading: Stanley’s Rise to $750M
3. Gymshark
Gymshark is one of the fastest-growing fitness apparel brands, largely due to its strong presence on social media.
What started in 2012 as a small Shopify store selling leggings and workout gear has evolved into a multi-million-dollar empire, known for its high-performance workout wear and collaborations with fitness influencers.
Industry: Fitness apparel
Revenue: In 2023, Gymshark reached an impressive $1.5 billion valuation, proving that it’s not just a fitness brand, but a cultural phenomenon.
Marketing strategies:
- Influencer marketing: Gymshark is the pioneer of influencer-driven e-commerce. By partnering with fitness influencers and athletes, they’ve turned their products into must-have items.
- Social media domination: They focus on highly-targeted social media ads, creative content, and a direct connection with their audience, engaging users with interactive posts and fitness challenges.
- Limited editions: Gymshark frequently drops limited-edition collections, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity among buyers.
Recommended reading: How Gymshark Bulked Up to Being a $1+ Billion Brand
4. SKIMS
SKIMS, founded by Kim Kardashian, has quickly become one of the most successful Shopify stores and the go-to brand for shapewear and loungewear.
The company’s focus on inclusivity, offering a wide range of sizes and skin tones, has made it stand out in the crowded fashion space.
Industry: Shapewear and apparel
Revenue: By 2023, SKIMS had an estimated revenue of $500 million, and it’s expected to grow as it continues to expand its product lines.
Marketing strategies:
- Celebrity backing: The Kardashian brand speaks for itself. Kim Kardashian’s personal influence has been key to the brand’s massive success.
- Inclusive marketing: SKIMS’ message of inclusivity is central to its brand. From the models they use to the product sizing, it resonates with a broad audience.
- Social proof and viral moments: SKIMS has built viral moments around celebrity endorsements, social media campaigns, and strategic product launches.
Recommended reading: Skims Marketing Breakdown
5. Kylie Cosmetics
Founded by reality TV star Kylie Jenner, Kylie Cosmetics revolutionized the beauty industry by combining social media savvy with a celebrity-driven brand. It is a popular Shopify store that has successfully established a significant online presence and attracts a loyal customer base.
The brand’s initial success was built on its viral lip kits, which led to an explosion of interest and subsequent product expansion.
Industry: Beauty and cosmetics
Revenue: By 2022, Kylie Cosmetics had generated over $900 million in sales, and it’s on track for more as it continues expanding internationally.
Marketing strategies:
- Social media mastery: Kylie’s social media presence is a huge driver of the brand’s sales. Her ability to promote her products directly to her millions of followers makes her an influencer marketing powerhouse.
- Limited edition products: Kylie frequently releases limited-edition items, creating a sense of urgency and scarcity around her products.
- Collaborations: Partnering with other influencers or celebrities for co-branded product lines is a key part of her strategy.
6. Steve Madden
Steve Madden is among our top Shopify stores for a reason. It’s a household name in fashion, known for its trendy, affordable footwear.
The brand has been able to leverage its long-standing reputation while keeping up with modern trends in ecommerce.
What makes this Shopify store stand out is its unique branding, creativity in web design, and a strong unique value proposition that makes it memorable and appealing to customers.
Industry: Footwear and accessories
Revenue: As of 2023, Steve Madden has revenue in the ballpark of $2 billion.
Marketing strategies:
- Omnichannel strategy: Steve Madden doesn’t just rely on online sales; they’ve effectively combined brick-and-mortar stores with a robust online presence.
- Celebrity endorsements: Similar to other successful Shopify stores, Steve Madden has partnered with celebrities to give their products a cool factor and increase visibility.
- Ecommerce optimization: The brand’s Shopify store is optimized for a seamless shopping experience, driving repeat customers with an easy-to-navigate interface.
7. Fashion Nova
Fashion Nova has quickly become one of the fastest-growing fashion brands, particularly known for its body-positive marketing and ultra-affordable trend-driven clothing.
It is considered a top Shopify store, showcasing how successful and high-performing online businesses leverage Shopify as their ecommerce platform.
Industry: Fast fashion
Revenue: In 2022, Fashion Nova was estimated to have generated around $1 billion in revenue.
Marketing strategies:
- Influencer power: Fashion Nova has mastered the art of influencer marketing, with A-list celebrities like Cardi B promoting their clothes.
- Social media savvy: The brand’s Instagram presence is massive. They post frequently, engage with followers, and create buzz around product drops.
- Collaborations: They’ve collaborated with stars like Kylie Jenner and Cardi B, creating exclusive collections that drive huge sales.
8. Glossier
Glossier has disrupted the beauty industry by positioning itself as a minimalist, inclusive brand that celebrates natural beauty.
Their Shopify site plays a crucial role in driving business revenue and enhancing user experience. With a direct-to-consumer model, Glossier turned its fans into its biggest marketers.
Industry: Beauty
Revenue: Glossier’s revenue surpassed $100 million in 2022, despite stepping back from influencer-heavy marketing.
Marketing strategies:
- Customer-first approach: Glossier listens to its customers. Its product lines have been shaped by direct feedback from its user base.
- Community building: The brand has built a loyal fanbase through its online community, turning customers into evangelists.
- Social media and word of mouth: Glossier’s rise is heavily attributed to social media and the power of word-of-mouth recommendations.
Recommended reading: How Glossier Became a $1.2 Billion Company
9. Waterdrop
Waterdrop is all about hydration—offering flavored water cubes that make drinking water fun and refreshing.
This colorful Shopify store focuses on health and sustainability, with products that reduce the need for plastic bottles.
Industry: Hydration
Revenue: In 2023, Waterdrop’s revenue crossed $100 million globally.
Marketing strategies:
- Sustainability: They market heavily on the environmental benefits of reducing plastic bottle use.
- Subscription model: Their subscription service keeps customers coming back for more.
- Engaging content: Waterdrop leverages content marketing with lifestyle-focused posts and health-oriented campaigns.
Recommended reading: How Waterdrop Revolutionized the Beverage Industry
10. Good American
Good American, founded by Khloé Kardashian, is known for its inclusive sizing and body-positive marketing, offering a wide range of sizes from 00 to 24.
It’s one of the popular Shopify stores that aspiring store owners can look to for inspiration in design and marketing strategies.
Industry: Fashion (denim and apparel)
Revenue: By 2023, the brand has crossed the $1 billion revenue mark.
Marketing strategies:
- Inclusivity: Good American’s focus on inclusivity has made it stand out in the competitive fashion space.
- Celebrity power: Like other Kardashian-founded brands, Good American benefits from the celebrity status of Khloé.
- Social media campaigns: The brand uses social media to engage with customers directly and has created a community around body positivity and self-love.
Shopify stores FAQ
How many Shopify stores are there?
As of 2023, there are over 4.4 million active Shopify stores globally. Shopify has become a go-to platform for entrepreneurs and established brands alike, thanks to its user-friendly interface and scalability. From small businesses to large enterprises, Shopify supports a wide range of industries and products.
How do I find Shopify stores in my niche that are successful?
Finding a successful Shopify store in your niche is easier than you think. Start by browsing industry-specific directories, or use Shopify’s “Shopify Store Directory” to find top-performing stores.
You can also look for successful Shopify stores by searching for trending products or browsing through popular social media influencers in your niche.
Tools like SimilarWeb or Alexa can also help you find successful Shopify stores based on website traffic and performance.
What is the best business model for a Shopify store?
The business model for a Shopify store can vary, but the most common are:
- Direct-to-consumer (D2C): Brands sell directly to consumers, bypassing middlemen like retailers.
- Subscription-based: Some Shopify stores offer subscription models for recurring revenue (e.g., beauty boxes, curated product deliveries).
- Dropshipping: This model allows store owners to sell products without holding inventory, as they partner with suppliers who ship items directly to customers.
- Wholesale: Shopify stores can also sell in bulk to other businesses, acting as both a retailer and a wholesaler.
Can I start a Shopify store for free?
While Shopify offers a free trial (usually 14 or 30 days), you will need to choose a paid plan to continue running your store after the trial ends. Shopify’s pricing plans vary depending on the features and services you need. However, with the free trial, you can explore all of the platform’s features and start building your store without any initial investment.
What makes fashion Shopify stores so successful?
Fashion Shopify stores are successful due to their ability to create strong brand identities, engage with customers via social media, and offer seamless shopping experiences. Many fashion brands, like those featured in this article, leverage influencer partnerships, social proof, and targeted advertising to boost sales.
Shopify’s flexible business model and extensive app ecosystem also help fashion stores manage inventory, optimize marketing, and track customer behavior to increase conversions.
Wrapping up
From eco-friendly shoes to influencer-driven beauty products, these best Shopify stores have demonstrated that successful ecommerce isn’t just about selling products—it’s about building a brand identity people connect with.
Whether it’s through celebrity influence, sustainability, or killer social media strategies, these brands have leveraged the power of Shopify to scale their businesses and set trends in their industries.
So, what’s the takeaway for you? Building a successful ecommerce store isn’t just about having a great product; it’s about creating a brand that resonates, tells a story, and knows how to use digital marketing tools to its advantage.
Ready to take your own business to the next level? Let these big players inspire your next move!
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Written by
Nikolett Lorincz
Nikolett is the Head of Content at OptiMonk. She is obsessed with content marketing and loves creating educational content for ecommerce store owners. She truly believes in the importance of quality over quantity.
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