The dropshipping market: transforming the risk environment

An analysis was conducted of the current risks faced by participants in the dropshipping market in the context of the transformation of e commerce and the growth of digital platforms. The relevance of the study is substantiated; the steady growth of the global dropshipping market, its professionalization, and the simultaneous increase in the complexity of the risk environment faced by both entrepreneurs and end consumers are noted. The key categories of risks characteristic of the current stage of the dropshipping market’s development have been identified and systematized, and the directions for developing effective risk management strategies have been determined. An analysis was conducted of scientific publications, industry analytical reports, data from international and Russian research companies for 2020–2025, as well as practical recommendations from platforms and services operating in the field of dropshipping. Seven main categories of risks were identified: logistical, quality related, legal, financial, marketing, image related, and technological. It has been shown that these groups of risks are closely interconnected and cannot be considered in isolation. Special attention is paid to shifting the focus from a formal classification of risks to a subjective one, within which the key sources of risk events are suppliers, cybercriminals, and buyers. It has been established that the risks associated with the unreliability of suppliers have the greatest impact on the stability of a dropshipping business, as they simultaneously provoke logistical, quality, financial, and reputational losses. The main areas of risk management have been systematized, including supplier verification, technological and legal protection, customer service, and financial security. The results obtained can be used in developing comprehensive risk management strategies for dropshipping companies and in adapting business models to modern market conditions.