For finding profitable products, which method is better?
Should I first find a winning product directly on Amazon UAE (low competition, good sales), and then look for suppliers on platforms like Noon, Carrefour, Lulu Hypermarket, Sharaf DG, Temu, or AliExpress?
Or is it better to first explore deals and discounted products from these retail platforms (Noon, Lulu, Carrefour, etc.) and then check if they can be resold profitably on Amazon UAE?
Which approach gives better results in terms of profit and lower risk?
Hello, both methods can work, but they usually suit different business models and risk levels. If your goal is building a more stable and scalable Amazon business, it is generally better to start with Amazon UAE first by identifying products with consistent demand, manageable competition, and healthy margins, and then source those products from suppliers or retail channels afterward. This approach is more data-driven because you validate demand before spending money on inventory, which reduces the risk of ending up with products that do not sell.
The second method, where you first hunt discounts on Noon, Carrefour, Lulu, Temu, or AliExpress and then check Amazon profitability, is closer to retail arbitrage or online arbitrage. It can produce quick profits and lower upfront investment, but it is usually less stable long term because stock availability changes constantly, margins can disappear quickly, and Amazon may become more restrictive about invoices and authenticity documentation, especially if you scale.
In terms of lower risk, the first approach is generally safer because you are selecting products based on actual Amazon demand and competition analysis rather than trying to force discounted products onto the marketplace. However, the second approach can be useful for beginners to learn the platform with smaller test orders and lower financial exposure.
A lot of experienced sellers actually combine both methods: they use arbitrage to generate initial cash flow and marketplace experience, while gradually moving toward more structured sourcing and products chosen primarily based on Amazon demand data rather than temporary retail discounts.