Glossary/Retail Media & Commerce/Dropshipping
Retail Media & Commerce
Dropshipping
A retail model where the seller lists products but a supplier ships orders directly to customers, so the seller holds no inventory.
By Brandon Mina·CEO, BrandPilot AI·Updated November 2026
Short answer
Dropshipping is a retail model in which a seller lists and sells products but a third-party supplier ships orders directly to customers, so the seller holds no inventory. It lowers startup costs and risk. However, margins are often thin, and sellers have limited control over product quality, shipping times and the customer experience.