The 7 E-Commerce Models That Actually Scale

After working with 50+ brands, I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to scaling an e-commerce business.

Author

Patrick O'Driscoll
March 06, 2025

Hey there, it’s Patrick.

The 7 E-Commerce Models That Actually Scale

After working with 50+ brands, I’ve seen what works—and what doesn’t—when it comes to scaling an e-commerce business.

Some models are built for growth, while others struggle to break past six figures.

Here are the 7 e-commerce models that consistently lead to success (with real-world examples and pros/cons for each):

1. High LTV Consumables

Examples: Supplements, skincare, coffee, pet food

Pros: Repeat purchases, strong subscription potential

Cons: High competition, requires brand loyalty

2. The Razor Blade Strategy

Examples: Razors & refills, water filters, printer ink

Pros: Low barrier to entry, high retention

Cons: Requires customers to stay locked into your system

3. High-Ticket Items

Examples: Furniture, cold plunges, fitness equipment

Pros: High profit per sale, premium branding

Cons: Longer sales cycle, expensive to acquire customers

4. Fashion & Seasonal Drops

Examples: Streetwear brands, seasonal apparel, limited-edition releases

Pros: Strong brand loyalty, repeat buyers

Cons: Inventory risk, unpredictable demand

5. Digital Products & Subscriptions

Examples: Online courses, SaaS, memberships

Pros: No inventory, high margins, scalable

Cons: Harder to build trust, needs strong marketing

6. Personalized or Custom Products

Examples: Engraved jewelry, custom pet portraits, monogrammed home decor

Pros: Higher perceived value, strong word-of-mouth

Cons: Longer production time, fulfillment challenges

7. Niche Hobby & Passion Products

Examples: Photography gear, pet accessories, gaming peripherals

Pros: Passionate customer base, high engagement

Cons: Can be a smaller market, requires deep community building

Scaling an e-commerce brand isn’t just about running ads—it starts with choosing the right model.

The most successful brands pick the right model first, then focus on growth strategies.

Which of these models fits your brand best? Reply and let me know!

To your success,

Patrick

P.S. If you’re looking to choose a winning product for your e-commerce business, I break down the exact growth strategy in my latest training. Check it out here.