WorldShelf is a crowdsourced import wishlist app where travellers share descriptions of products that they have discovered abroad, and local consumers vote on what they want imported. Popular items rise in visibility, attracting importers who can act on real demand. Spotters earn rewards, voters influence markets, and retailers gain a demand-driven radar for overlooked opportunities.
The idea
A crowdsourced platform where travellers and consumers help shape what products get imported into their home markets.
How it works
- When you spot an interesting product abroad (a snack, a gadget, a household item), you post it to the WorldShelf app with photos and description.
- Other users can browse and upvote products they’d love to see locally.
- The most popular items rise in ranking and catch the attention of importers, distributors, or retailers.
Incentives
- For spotters: If a product you’ve posted gets imported, you might earn rewards – points, recognition, or a sample of the item. This encourages detailed write-ups and good photos.
- For voters: You get the chance to influence what products show up in your local stores. Imagine being part of the reason your favourite Japanese drink, Korean beauty brand, or Spanish snack becomes available at home.
- For importers: A real-time “demand radar” – a way to identify overlooked but wanted products, validated by consumer interest before committing to import.
Why it matters
Import decisions are usually top-down – importers estimate demand, sometimes based on personal judgment. WorldShelf flips this by letting consumers directly highlight what they want. It’s like Kickstarter but for imports: instead of pledging money, people pledge interest.
Comparison
- Kickstarter: Entrepreneurs propose, consumers pledge money, product is created.
- WorldShelf: Consumers propose, other consumers vote, product is imported.
Long-term vision
WorldShelf could evolve into:
- A gamified community where prolific spotters earn badges or reputation.
- A discovery hub for retailers scouting the next big hit before it trends.
- Eventually, a global ecosystem where consumer voices guide cross-border trade.
Submitted by: Ilia Leikin; writeup: ChatGPT (mostly)
Hashtags: #ConsumerProducts #Imports #Shopping #Travel
Looking for: startup team to take on the project
I can: brainstorm, help with app development, alpha-test
Status: newly submitted
