The pandemic had a major impact on brick-and-mortar stores and disrupted economies worldwide in 2020. It also led to a boom in one sector—ecommerce, which has continued into 2021.
Shopify grew during the pandemic by providing a platform for direct-to-customer retailers. Its business model is built around offering a platform for online store creation that is both inexpensive and easy to set up.
This allows retailers—many of whom are first-time entrepreneurs—to sell to customers around the globe with ease. It also helps them manage payments, fulfillment, shipping, and email marketing, making it an easy, all-in-one e-commerce platform.
The numbers illustrate Shopify’s growth over the past year:
Growth isn’t slowing, either. A survey by market research firm Intelligence Node says 72% of shoppers plan to continue shopping online as much or more in 2021. These figures point to continued growth within the ecommerce space on platforms like Shopify post-COVID.
However, just having an online store won’t guarantee rapid growth at scale. That’s where opportunities like getting on the popular show Shark Tank can help.
Featured on the popular television show Shark Tank, some of these companies won investments from the “sharks'', while some did not. Either way, getting on Shark Tank helped these brands reach new audiences and get in front of the show’s millions of viewers.
Brands featured on Shark Tank have some general ecommerce advice for businesses who aspire to be on the show: They said to make sure your website and inventory are ready to handle a surge in traffic and sales immediately after the show airs.
Shopify powers the online stores of the 24 companies profiled below who appeared on the show.
Blueland sells household and cleaning products. The products are designed as reusable, refillable systems to make it easy to cut down on plastic waste. Having convenient and affordable products in reusable packaging makes it easy to be eco-friendly. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 11, episode 1 and got an investment from Kevin O’Leary.
Yellow Leaf Hammocks sells hand-woven hammocks and accessories. The hammocks are made by expert weavers from the Mlabri Tribe in northern Thailand. The business has provided economic opportunities to communities in rural Thailand. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 11, episode 24, and got an investment from Daniel Lubetsky.
Swoveralls combine sweatpants and overalls into one unisex garment. Functional and comfortable, they are made with sustainable resources using ethical manufacturing processes. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 10, episode 20 but did not get an investor.
Bad Birdie makes exciting, attractive golf apparel with fun designs. Bad Birdie shirts are a departure from the boring clothes most people associate with golf. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 11, episode 18, and got an investment from Robert Herjavec.
Aura Bora sells sparkling water flavored with herbs, fruits, and flowers. They do not use artificial flavors, have zero sugar and calories, and are non-GMO. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 12, episode 11, and got an investment from Robert Herjavec.
Ash & Erie sell clothes designed for shorter men (5’8” or below). Their goal and mission are to design the best possible clothes to help shorter men look and feel their best. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 9, episode 5, and got an investment from Mark Cuban.
Grouphug sells portable window solar chargers. The product makes it easy for people to access renewable, solar energy. The company designs products that make it easy for people to adopt sustainable technologies. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 11, episode 16, and got an investment from Mark Cuban.
Rule Breaker Snacks sells vegan, plant-based snacks with no animal ingredients (eggs, butter, or animal products). The snacks are gluten-free and free from common allergens such as wheat, nuts, shellfish, coconut, and sesame. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 12, episode 12 but did not get an investor.
Stasher Bag sells reusable, non-toxic, silicone storage bags. The bags can be used in cooking, kept in freezers, and run through dishwashers. The product replaces single-use, plastic bags. The company aims to reduce plastic waste from entering oceans and landfills. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 9, episode 15, and got an investment from Mark Cuban.
Pair Eyewear sells high-quality, affordable eyewear with changeable frames. Magnetic frames give the ability to change colors and designs and turn frames into prescription sunglasses. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 11, episode 14, and got an investment from Lori Grenier and Katrina Lake.
Bombas sells comfortable and durable socks, underwear, and other apparel. For every item sold, the company donates an item to community organizations helping the homeless. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 6, episode 1, and got an investment from Daymond John.
Hug Sleep sells compression blankets to provide gentle, calming pressure to help you fall asleep. The pod blanket helps those with sensory disorders, anxiety, or stress to relax. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 12, episode 3, and got an investment from Mark Cuban and Lori Grenier.
Jiggy Puzzles sells intricate jigsaw puzzles with artwork designed by female artists across the globe. The company also offers puzzle club memberships. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 12, episode 22, and got an investment from Mark Cuban.
Supply sells premium men’s grooming products. Their flagship product is a solid, metal razor that uses a single, replaceable blade that gives a smooth shave. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 11, episode 6, and got an investment from Robert Herjavec.
BeardBrand sells high-quality, beard, mustache, and skincare products and accessories. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 6, episode 7 but did not get an investor.
Rumpl sells weatherproof blankets designed for outdoor use. The blankets are made with the material used in premium outdoor gear and activewear. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 12, episode 1 but did not get an investor.
Pan’s Mushroom Jerky sells vegetarian, gluten-free jerky with a “meat-like” texture made with shiitake mushrooms. Pan’s is available in four flavors inspired by the company founder’s original family recipe. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 12, episode 6, and got an investment from Mark Cuban.
Basic Outfitters sells curated sets of high-quality essentials such as socks, underwear, and t-shirts. The company sells its products online at an affordable price and delivers them to customers. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 8, episode 12 but did not get an investor.
Buttercloth sells stylish dress shirts made with special, long-fiber cotton. The shirts are wrinkle-free, stretchable, and comfortable. The shirts combine sophisticated designs with the comfort of your favorite t-shirt. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 10, episode 4, and got an investment from Robert Herjavec.
Third Wave Water sells capsules that, when dissolved in water, enhances the flavor of brewed coffee. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 9, episode 3 and got an investment from Barbara Corcoran.
Freshly Picked sells high-quality, hand-stitched leather moccasins for babies. The company also sells diaper bags, swaddles, and other footwear for babies. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 5, episode 15, and got an investment from Daymond John.
Mad Rabbit Tattoo sells aftercare cream for tattoos. The cream makes tattoos vibrant, moisturized, and nourished with clean, healthy ingredients. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 12, episode 18, and got an investment from Mark Cuban.
Boom Boom Naturals sells all-natural nasal inhalers. These to help people stay focused and refreshed. The product is made with plant-based ingredients and comes in a variety of mint flavors. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 10, episode 4 but did not get an investor.
Emazing Lights sells battery-powered LED products such as gloves, orbits, balls, wands, and whips. These are used for an art form that combines dance with handheld lights and effects. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 6, episode 20, and got an investment from Daymond John and Mark Cuban.
H.V.M.N. provides a portfolio of products for daily keto support and overall brain and body optimization. At the forefront of modern nutrition, H.V.M.N. applies cutting-edge research in metabolism and physiology to support health, wellness, and performance goals. The company was featured on Shark Tank on season 8, episode 10, but did not get an investor.
Lovepop is a 3D popup greetings card company that uses the Asian art of sliceform kirigami (the cutting and folding of paper) to create beautifully intricate designs. Lovepop’s cards are designed with a special design software and laser cut before each piece of paper is assembled by hand. The company appeared on season 7, episode 11 of Shark Tank, and secured an investment with Kevin O’Leary.
Rareform is an eco-friendly lifestyle brand that repurposes freeway billboards into bags and accessories. The company currently sells online, in 300+ retail locations worldwide, and partners with companies including Dell, Apple, Nike, Disney, and more for corporate recycling projects. Rareform appeared on Shark Tank on season 8, episode 19, and walked away with an investment from Kevin O’Leary.
Shopify helped brands meet the increased demand for online retail over the past year to record profitability. The success and growth of Shopify through the pandemic points to the fundamental soundness of the platform’s business model.
According to a report from research and advisory firm Gartner, as the world emerges from the pandemic and spending slowly recovers, the behaviors and new experiences learned during lockdowns will not soon be forgotten. People will continue to use convenient online tools to shop and pay, both in-store and online.
Post-COVID, trends in retail sales point to continued growth and strong reliance on ecommerce by consumers, meaning Shopify will continue to be a solid option for businesses seeking direct-to-customer online sales.
The chart below from Statista shows retail ecommerce sales worldwide in 2020 amounted to 4.28 trillion US dollars. Revenues are projected to grow to 5.4 trillion US dollars in 2022.
Want more? Check out the articles below with additional Shopify-specific insights:
