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Top 12 Shopify Candle Stores & How to Build Yours in 2024

September 05, 2024
Written and researched by experts at AvadaLearn more about our methodology

By Sam Nguyen

CEO Avada Commerce

Drawing from years of experience in Shopify and e-commerce, as well as in the candle market, this list of 12 inspiring Shopify candle stores has been carefully compiled to serve as a valuable resource for anyone looking to start their own candle business.

If you want to start a Shopify candle business, this article is for you.

12 Inspiring Shopify Candle Stores

Antique Candle Co.

antique candle co.

About the brand:

Antique Candle Co. is a Shopify candle business that creates unique hand-poured candles using high-quality ingredients. Their candles are made in small batches to ensure the highest quality and attention to detail. 

The website likely embraces a vintage or rustic theme, resonating with the brand’s antique inspiration. It includes elements like earthy color palettes, old-fashioned fonts, and imagery that evokes a sense of nostalgia and warmth.

Antique Candle Co. offers a diverse selection of scents organized by holiday season. This organization makes it easy for customers to find candles for specific occasions, whether it’s Christmas, Thanksgiving, or Halloween.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores:

  • Brand Identity: Emphasize a unique brand identity (like Antique Candle Co.’s antique theme) to stand out in the market.
  • User-Friendly Design: Ensure the website is easy to navigate, mobile-friendly, and offers a seamless shopping and checkout experience.

Royal Essence

royal essence shopify candle business

About the brand

Royal Essence is a distinctive Shopify candle store known for its innovative candle-making approach. What sets Royal Essence apart is their inclusion of a surprise piece of jewelry inside each candle, creating an exciting and unique customer experience. Their product range typically extends beyond candles to include bath bombs and other fragranced products, all featuring the signature surprise element.

The website employs a luxurious and elegant design to align with the ‘royal’ aspect of its branding. This would include a sophisticated color scheme, high-quality images, and a clean, modern layout.

Each product would be showcased with high-resolution images and detailed descriptions, including information about the jewelry found inside. Upon landing on the homepage, customers are immediately drawn to the attractive deals and exclusive discounts the store offers.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores:

  • Diversify Product Range: Follow Royal Essence’s lead in offering a diverse range of candle products to appeal to a broader audience and increase customer interest.
  • Attractive Bundles for Higher Sales: Adopt the strategy of providing attractively priced sets or bundles to encourage customers to purchase more, boosting the average transaction value and overall sales.

Learn more: Launch your online candle business with Shopify

Brooklyn Candle Studio

brooklyn candle studio shopify candle business

About the brand

Brooklyn Candle Studio is a well-known Shopify candle business that specializes in crafting Artisanal candles inspired by the artistic vibe of Brooklyn. Their range of products also includes room mist and scented soap items. 

The Brooklyn Candle Studio website showcases a blend of minimalist design and intuitive navigation, incorporating deep, warm, and neutral colors.  Its elegant aesthetic, high-quality imagery, and clean, user-friendly layout effectively highlight the brand’s focus on artisanal craftsmanship and eco-friendly products.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores:

  • Tailored Product Offerings: Brooklyn Candle Studio’s success lies in tailoring products to meet specific customer needs, such as diverse scents and vegan options, fostering customer loyalty.
  • Streamlined Shopping Experience: Brooklyn Candle Studio enhances the shopping experience by offering navigation assistance and purchasing pop-ups, prioritizing customer convenience and satisfaction. 

Jackpot Candles

jackpot candles shopify candle business

About the brand

Jackpot Candles is a unique Shopify candle store that offers candles with hidden jewelry surprises, making it a perfect place to find a beautiful and exciting gift. 

The website is designed with a playful touch, featuring seamless navigation and attractive GIFs and animations to help customers get a visual view of the product. Interactive elements such as customer reviews, photos of found jewelry, and possibly a community section where customers can share their finds contribute to engagement and build excitement.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores:

  • Clear Communication of USP: It’s crucial to communicate the unique selling proposition (USP) – in this case, the hidden jewelry – to intrigue and educate potential customers.
  • Community Engagement Features: Jackpot Candles excels in community engagement through customer reviews, jewelry photos, and a potential community section. Candle stores should adopt similar strategies to build excitement and strengthen customer relationships.

FrostBeard Studio

frostbeard studio shopify candle business

About the brand

FrostBeard Studio is a Shopify Candle Business that specializes in creating literary-themed candles for book lovers. 

The studio’s website is designed with a whimsical and easy-to-navigate layout, featuring a unique color scheme that complements the literary theme of their products. Its logo is also eye-catching, making it stand out among other businesses in the industry.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores:

  • Distinctive Logo Design: FrostBeard Studio’s eye-catching logo sets it apart in the candle industry. Other stores should prioritize investing in a unique logo for enhanced brand recognition.
  • Targeted Customer Group: FrostBeard Studio’s success comes from focusing on book enthusiasts. Other stores should learn the importance of targeting a specific customer group to build a dedicated customer base.

The Growing Candle

the growing candle shopify candle business

About the brand

What sets The Growing Candle apart from other Shopify candle stores is that the labels around their candles have seeds in them. Once the candle has burned, the container can be filled with soil, and the title with the seeds can be planted. This simple yet innovative design turns the candle container into a mini planter to grow beautiful plants and herbs.

Besides the sustainable products, The Growing Candle also offers its customers educational content. The brand believes in educating people about the importance of sustainability and spreading awareness about the environment.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores:

  • Unique and Sustainable Products: The Growing Candle’s success lies in its commitment to a unique and sustainable design. The emphasis on eco-friendly materials and innovative concepts contributes to the brand’s appeal and success in the market.
  • Environmental Education Contribution: The Growing Candle excels as a product and contributes to environmental education. By aligning the brand with a cause, it fosters a sense of purpose, attracting environmentally conscious consumers. 

Candelles

candelles shopify candle business

About the brand

Candelles is a Shopify candle business passionate about crafting hand-poured soy candles with captivating scents designed to create a cozy and inviting ambiance. 

The website features a pared-down design that combines monochromatic tones to draw attention to the products. This approach allows the products to take center stage, highlighting their key features and benefits.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores:

  • Quality Ingredients and Elegant Packaging: Candelles succeeds by using high-quality ingredients and designing delicate, charming packaging with gentle pastel colors, creating an attractive product.
  • Seamless Shopping Experience: Candelles’ success is also driven by a straightforward and enjoyable shopping experience, making it easy for customers to find the perfect candle for any occasion. 

Harlem Candle Co.

harlem candle co. shopify candle business

About the brand

Harlem Candle Co., a well-known Shopify candle business, creates luxurious candles and home fragrances with award-winning perfumers. Their products, inspired by the Harlem Renaissance, are designed to embody luxury and elegance. The brand’s meticulous attention to detail is evident in the packaging, featuring intricate designs that capture the essence of that era. 

Each candle and perfume is crafted to tell a unique and captivating story, making them perfect for adding sophistication to your home or self-indulgence. Harlem Candle Co. offers an exquisite experience that is both delightful and impressive.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores: 

  • Compelling Storytelling through Products: Harlem Candle Co. enhances its products with compelling storytelling. This technique of embedding stories into products can be a valuable lesson for other brands to make their offerings more engaging.
  • Innovative Animations: The brand integrates animations into the website, transforming product images into captivating and inspirational promotional video clips, adding a dynamic and engaging element to the shopping experience.

The Commonfolk

the commonfolk shopify candle business

About the brand

The Commonfolk is a Shopify candle business specializing in coastal-inspired candles and lifestyle products. Their items are thoughtfully designed to evoke a calming ambiance, using beige and brown colors and graphics reminiscent of sandy beaches and coconut trees. 

Their website is easy to navigate, featuring a simple, clean, and intuitive user interface that ensures a smooth and hassle-free shopping experience.

Learning points for Shopify candle stores:

  • Emotional Branding through Storytelling: The Commonfolk store effectively uses storytelling to create a strong emotional connection with customers, a strategy that Shopify candle businesses can employ to build a unique and memorable brand identity.
  • Commitment to Sustainability and Community: Their focus on ethical practices and community engagement is a vital lesson for Shopify candle businesses, highlighting the importance of aligning with social and environmental values to attract and retain a conscientious customer base

Posh Candle Co.

posh candle co.

About the brand

Posh Candle Co., known for its eco-friendly, vegan candles with a modern design, focuses on customer convenience. Their user-friendly website offers easy navigation, purchasing, and multiple payment options. 

Additionally, they have a multi-currency feature to accommodate a global audience. This emphasis on making shopping easy has helped Posh Candle Co. provide a positive experience for customers and build a loyal customer base.

Learning points for Shopify candle businesses:

  • Commitment to Sustainability: Posh Candles Co.’s success is rooted in its commitment to being eco-friendly, vegan, and offering free candles. This dedication to sustainable practices aligns with the growing demand for environmentally conscious products, setting the brand apart in the market.
  • Customer Engagement Strategies: Posh Candles Co. allows customers to comment on their product experience. This emphasis on customer engagement contributes to the brand’s overall success.

Lilin + Co

lilin & co

About the brand

For entrepreneurs looking to break into the candle industry, it’s important to consider the element of personalization. 

Lilin + Co, a Shopify candle business and fragrance brand, has become a name with handmade, personalized gifts for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and more. 

Their elegant design and attention to detail, including branded packaging, have helped establish them as a standout brand in their niche. By incorporating personalization into their business essence, Lilin + Co has created a unique and memorable experience for their customers, setting themselves apart from the competition.

Learning points for Shopify candle businesses:

  • Strategic Embrace of Personalization: Lilin + Co.’s specialization in crafting handmade, personalized gifts for various occasions contributes to a distinctive and memorable customer experience.
  • Exemplary Design and Precision: The brand has achieved prominence through its commitment to an elegant design and meticulous attention to detail, notably in branded packaging. This dedication to aesthetic excellence enhances the brand’s overall image, establishing it as a standout presence in its niche. 

PaddyWax

paddywax

PaddyWax is known for making hand-poured candles, focusing on a variety of scents tailored to different moods or emotional states. Their candles feature complex fragrance blends that evoke specific feelings and honor our emotions. 

The design of PaddyWax’s website is classic and warm, using yellow tones reminiscent of a lit candle. It is user-friendly, easy to navigate and explore their products.

Learning points for Shopify candle businesses:

  • Story-Centric Approach: PaddyWax’s success is founded on a narrative-driven strategy, initiating each collection with a compelling story. This approach creates a unique connection with customers, elevating the emotional resonance of their candles and establishing the brand as a curator of meaningful experiences.
  • Efficient Product Organization: Paddy Wax simplifies the shopping experience by categorizing the products based on scents. This strategic sorting method facilitates easy navigation for customers, enabling them to quickly identify and choose products that align with their specific needs and preferences.

>> Watch More: 11+ Best Shopify Candles Themes 2023

How To Start A Shopify Candle Business in 2024?

Step 1: Do market research

Begin by researching the current candle market trends. Look at popular types of candles, such as scented, soy, or beeswax. 

  • Identify your target audience – are they looking for luxury items, eco-friendly products, or affordable options?
  • Study your competitors. What are they offering, and what can you do differently? Pay attention to their pricing, marketing strategies, and customer reviews.
  • Look for gaps in the market. Is there a demand for a particular type of candle not being met? This could be your niche.

Step 2: Crafting Your Product

Learn the basics of candle making, which includes understanding different waxes, wicks, scents, and dyes. There are numerous online resources and classes available for beginners.

Source high-quality materials. Whether using paraffin, soy, or another type of wax, ensure it’s from a reputable supplier. The same goes for fragrances and wicks. Consider utilizing Shopify candle dropshipping to streamline your supply chain and reach a broader market. Test your candles for burn time, scent throw, and soot production. Consistency in quality is key to building a good reputation.

Test your candles for burn time, scent throw, and soot production. Consistency in quality is key to building a good reputation.

Step 3: Create your Shopify store and build your brand

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Use Shopify’s user-friendly platform to set up your online store. Choose a theme that aligns with your brand aesthetic.

Develop a strong brand identity. This includes your business name, logo, and the overall look and feel of your products and website.

Include high-quality images and detailed product descriptions in your store. Your website should be visually appealing and easy to navigate.

Step 4: Marketing Your Candles

Utilize social media platforms to reach your audience. Regularly post engaging content about your products, behind-the-scenes processes, and promotions.

Build an email list to update customers about new products and special offers.

Collaborate with influencers or other businesses to expand your reach.

Step 5: Customer Engagement and Retention

Respond promptly to customer inquiries and complaints. Good customer service is crucial for repeat business.

Regularly seek customer feedback and use it to improve your products and services.

Consider implementing loyalty programs or offering promotions to encourage repeat purchases.

Top 5 Shopify candle store theme

Impact

impact shopify themes for candle business

The Impact theme boasts a bold, striking design perfect for showcasing vibrant candle collections. With its attention-grabbing aesthetic, this theme will make your candles stand out and leave a lasting impression on your customers. 

Additionally, the Impact theme enhances the overall user experience, making it easier for customers to browse and purchase your products.

Taste

taste shopify theme for candle business

This particular theme strikes an elegant, modern, and refined note. It is an ideal fit for luxury candle brands that wish to convey a sense of sophistication and class to their customers. Taste‘s attention to detail and sleek design make it the perfect choice for brands that want to establish themselves as high-end and luxurious. 

Overall, this theme is a great option for companies that want to elevate their brand and create a memorable and distinct visual identity.

Symmetry

symmetry shopify theme for candle business

Symmetry is an exceptional choice for your candle business. Its balanced and streamlined design is perfect for those who appreciate minimalist aesthetics. With Symmetry, you can be sure that your products will be presented in the best possible light thanks to its high-quality image slice.

If you’re looking to attract and retain customers with a visually pleasing and functional theme, look no further than Symmetry.

Crave

crave shopify theme for candle business

Look no further than the Crave theme to create a cozy, comforting, or unconventional atmosphere for your candle shop. Its warm, colorful, and inviting design makes it a perfect fit for your Shopify store. With the Crave theme, you can be confident that you will achieve the desired ambiance.

Impulse

impulse theme for candle business

Impulse is the ultimate choice for those who demand an assertive theme in its clean, modern, and dynamic design. This theme is

What are the types of homemade candles you can sell?

One of the major benefits when learning how to make candles to sell on Shopify is the variety — there’s definitely a sort of candle out there that will catch the attention of potential customers. Not sure where to get started? Here are some of the most popular types of homemade candles you can explore while constructing your homemade candle business strategy.

Soy Candles

soy candles
Soy candles

As one of the most popular candle varieties on the market today, soy candles are made from a foundation of soy wax. This wax is extracted from soybeans and is therefore made from vegetables grown directly from the soil (as opposed to standard varieties of oil or paraffin).

Soy candles, made from renewable resources, not only burn cleanly but also last for longer periods of time. This way, consumers get more use on their bucks when it comes to buying a longer-lasting candle.

Scented/Aromatherapy Candles

scented candle
Scented candles

It’s one of the most growing types of candles. Scented or aromatherapy candles provide a wide variety of scents for consumers looking to spic their homes with good smells.

The fragrance of candles, whether intended to mask a normal household odor or produce a special aroma, comes in hundreds of flavors, offering a scent that appeals to almost everyone. Aromatherapy candles manufacturers market their goods as providing unique benefits that correspond to those scents. In general, these candles have essential oils in their recipes to enhance physical or mental well-being. Lavender scents, for instance, are also associated with relaxation.

Vegan Candles

vegan candles
Vegan candles

There is a growing segment of shoppers concerned with materials used by businesses to produce their products — especially any animal ingredients. Basic candles also contain animal products such as beeswax, which are not suitable for certain consumers. But here comes the vegan candles for rescue! Vegan candles use adapted formulations using ingredients such as soy wax, plant-based waxes, essential oils and natural fragrances.

Decorative Candles

decorative candles
Decorative candles

You’ve already seen candles come in several colors, shapes, and sizes when you visit a homeware shop. Many candles are made solely for decorative purposes — they are not usually scented and are not made from special ingredients. They’re just adding something to the room in your house.  

Tips for selling candles on Shopify

Enhance your photo quality

Sometimes, exquisite candle loses its charm in poor photos, Showcase your work effectively!

Don’t worry if you’re not a photographer. With just a smartphone or a camera, you can still capture stunning images of your creations. Here are some easy tips to enhance your photos:

  • Prioritize good lighting: Choose well-lit rooms during daylight hours, avoiding harsh bathroom selfie lighting.
  • Select a neutral or complementary background for your pieces.
  • Add simple, elegant accessories like a piece of fabric, a natural twig, or a subtle decor item to enhance, not overpower, your jewelry.”

Engage in cross-channel marketing

Once your website is up and you’ve built a strong social media community, focus on cross-channel marketing. Integrate your social platforms (like Facebook and Instagram) with your website and newsletter. Engaging with customers through regular newsletters, blog posts about candle care and décor ideas, and leveraging user-generated content can build a community around the brand.

Practive co-branding

Co-branding is the collaboration between two brands with varying levels of recognition. By linking these two brands, you can exchange visibility. For example, Collaborating with local businesses or markets for pop-up sales can also increase visibility.

Boost holiday candle sales

Start by introducing limited edition holiday-themed scents and designs, like cinnamon spice, pine, or peppermint, and package them in festive colors and decorations. Offer holiday bundles or gift sets at special prices to encourage bulk purchases. Lastly, consider early bird discounts or last-minute deals to attract both planners and spontaneous shoppers, ensuring your candles are the go-to choice for adding warmth and ambiance to their holiday celebrations.

Practice co-branding and influencer marketing

Co-branding is the collaboration between two brands with varying levels of recognition. By linking these two brands, you can exchange visibility. For example, collaborating with local businesses or markets for pop-up sales can also increase visibility.

candle influencer

Additionally, by partnering with influencers who align with the brand’s values and aesthetics, a candle business can tap into their dedicated followers, creating an authentic connection with a wider audience.

Customized campaigns, where influencers share their personal experiences with the candles, whether it’s about the scent, the ambiance they create, or the eco-friendly aspects, can create compelling narratives that resonate with potential customers

Pro tips: Enhance your Shopify Candle Store with AVADA’s free apps

AVADA SEO Suite

SEO Suite app helps you to build elements of your on-page SEO effortlessly. It will help you optimize website images and structure in a way that is most compatible with the Google Search algorithm.

Key benefits of AVADA SEO Suite

  • Improve website loading speed
  • Free
  • Faster Google index of websites images, content
  • Auto-complete Google structured data for your website
  • Increase click rate with standardized meta tags
  • Control all web issues by SEO checklist
  • No duplicate content
  • One-click auto-run, no technical skills required

AVADA Free Shipping Bar

Offering free shipping will help boost your sales and attract new customers. With AVADA Free Shipping Bar, you can set up a banner on the homepage of your website so that visitors can notice your offer immediately. There are also many cool modifications that AVADA Free Shipping Bar can do to meet your needs.

AVADA Discount Code Generator

Apart from free shipping, offering discounts is another way to boost your revenue. With the default feature of Shopify, setting up discounts is a little bit tricky. In Shopify, you can only have one single code for a discount. This can cause trouble when you want to have multiple different codes for the same discount so that you can send them to different customers. Using the AVADA Discount Code Generator, you will be able to generate a load of different codes for any predefined discount rule.

Why Should You Start Your Shopify Candle Business?

Candles have become popular in recent years, offering much more than just a light source. They create an ambiance, a mood, and even a lifestyle. Homemade candles have become a key home decor item — an industry that is projected to produce $664 billion by 2020, according to a recent Allied Market Research study.

Custom candle lines with uniquely designed scents and shapes bring a feeling of relaxation and are increasingly popular. The demand for such candles has been growing, and it is a lucrative industry to be in right now. Whether you want to create candles from scratch or source them from a supplier, there are multiple ways to get involved in the exciting world of candle selling. It can be profitable for those interested in starting their own business.

Bottom Line

Embark on your candle business journey with inspiration from these 12 Shopify success stories. Passion, quality, and immersive branding are key. Take note of consistent storytelling, visually appealing design, specialized products, emphasis on craftsmanship, and customer engagement.

Shopify Candle Stores: FAQs

Branding is crucial for a candle business as it differentiates your products in a crowded market, creates a memorable identity, and helps establish an emotional connection with your customers. A strong brand can significantly influence customer perception and loyalty, which is vital in driving sales and fostering long-term business growth.
To stand out in the candle market, create a unique brand identity. This can be achieved through offering distinctive, high-quality products, such as candles with innovative scents, eco-friendly materials, or unique, artisanal designs. 

Additionally, engaging storytelling that connects your brand to a compelling narrative or cause can resonate with customers. Emphasize exceptional customer service and build a strong online presence through targeted marketing and social media engagement to differentiate your brand in the competitive market.

Scented candles are the most popular type of candles, especially those with natural, soothing, or unique fragrances. They are highly sought after for their ability to create a pleasant ambiance and for aromatherapy purposes.
As of 2024, the trend in candles is leaning towards eco-friendly and sustainable products. Consumers are increasingly seeking out candles made from natural, non-toxic materials like soy or beeswax and those featuring organic, phthalate-free fragrances. There’s also a growing interest in unique, experiential scents that evoke specific memories or emotions, as well as in minimalist, reusable packaging that aligns with a more environmentally conscious lifestyle.

Sam Nguyen is the CEO and founder of Avada Commerce, an e-commerce solution provider headquartered in Singapore. He is an expert on the Shopify e-commerce platform for online stores and retail point-of-sale systems. Sam loves talking about e-commerce and he aims to help over a million online businesses grow and thrive.