Furniture wholesaler with a small warehouse

Independent furniture retailers, hospitality venues, fit-out companies, property developers and interior designers.

You sell at a wholesale price above your landed cost, with margin on each line. Revenue builds through repeat orders and supply to ongoing projects.

• Buying and stock control
• Negotiating with suppliers and customers
• Managing cash flow
• Logistics and delivery planning

• Cash tied up in unsold stock, start with a small range
• Public liability, product liability and stock insurance, check cover for fire, theft and goods in transit
• Council zoning rules for your warehouse, check with your local council
• Imported goods may need to meet Australian safety and labelling rules, check with the ACCC
• Manual handling injuries, plan for safe lifting and equipment
• Workers compensation insurance once you hire staff, check your state scheme

Startup costs are typically around $80,000 to $300,000, depending on the size of your warehouse, how much stock you buy and your delivery set-up. Cash tied up in unsold stock is a risk, so start with a small range.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on your range, customer base and stock turnover. The estimates assume at least around 35 hours a week.

Things to check: council zoning rules for your warehouse, cover for public liability, product liability and stock, whether imported goods meet Australian safety and labelling rules (ACCC), safe lifting plans, and workers compensation once you hire.