ThomasNet's most recent industry update newsletter includes consumer direct dropshopping services among its top upward trending categories, with Stratus Industries among its top 4 suppliers.

Dropshipping is a service where a manufacturer or supplier will ship directly to the home of a buyer that purchased the product from a retailer. While this has typically been done for online retailers, brick and mortar retailers are getting in on the game, hoping to better compete against e-commerce rivals without having to spend more on inventory.

According to a report in the Wall Street Journal, Macy’s and Home Depot have adopted a dropshipping strategy, and smaller retailers such as Pier One Imports and Shoe Carnival have announced plans to get on the dropshipping bandwagon.