Online cane and rattan furniture store

Homeowners furnishing living rooms, patios and sunrooms, plus small cafes, Airbnb hosts and other hospitality buyers.

You earn the margin between wholesale and retail price on each item, plus delivery fees. Bulk orders from hospitality buyers can lift the average sale.

• Online selling and product listings
• Good photography or styling eye
• Supplier negotiation
• Customer service

• Get an ABN and check when you need to register for GST
• Australian Consumer Law covers refunds, repairs and misleading claims, so check your obligations
• Freight of bulky items can eat margins and damage can be common, so check carrier insurance
• Check import rules and any biosecurity requirements if you bring in natural-fibre furniture yourself
• Check product liability and public liability insurance options
• If storing stock at home, check council rules for home-based businesses

Startup costs are typically around $2,000 to $12,000, depending on how much stock you hold, your website setup and whether suppliers ship direct. Treat these as estimates and build freight and packaging into your pricing before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your range, pricing and the hours you put in. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, and freight on bulky items can reduce your margins.

Check when to register for GST once you have an ABN, how Australian Consumer Law applies to refunds and repairs, and import and biosecurity rules if you bring in natural-fibre furniture. Also check carrier insurance, product and public liability cover, and council rules if storing stock at home.