Stationery wholesale from a small warehouse unit

Schools, offices, councils and community organisations, plus independent retailers who resell your stock.

You buy in volume at lower prices and sell to accounts at trade prices. Revenue grows with the number of regular account customers and the size of seasonal orders, such as back to school.

• B2B sales and account management
• Stock control and purchasing
• Logistics and delivery planning
• Managing cash flow

• Lease terms and whether the unit's zoning allows warehouse and trade use, so check with the landlord and local council
• Public liability, stock and van insurance, plus workers compensation insurance once you hire
• Heavy competition from large suppliers and online sellers, so know why customers would choose you
• Customer credit risk, as trade accounts often pay on 30 day terms or longer
• Seasonal peaks, such as back to school, that need stock bought months ahead
• Check product safety and labelling rules for any imported or children's products

Startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $100,000, depending on the unit, the range of stock you carry and your delivery setup. These are estimates only, so build your own budget from supplier quotes and lease terms.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on how many regular accounts you win and how wide your range is. That is revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, rent, delivery and wages.

Check lease terms and whether the unit's zoning allows warehouse and trade use, with the landlord and council. Also check public liability, stock and van insurance, workers compensation once you hire, and product safety and labelling rules for imported or children's products.