Online niche wholesale supplier

Independent retailers, market stallholders, cafes, salons and other small businesses that want a reliable local supplier with low minimum orders.

You earn the margin between your bulk buying price and your wholesale price. Repeat orders from regular trade customers are what make it work.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Basic bookkeeping and pricing
• Organised stock handling
• Building trade customer relationships

• Cash tied up in unsold stock, start with a small range
• Product safety and labelling rules for your goods, check with the ACCC and relevant authorities, especially for children's products, electrical items or food
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold, and import duty if you buy from overseas
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Council approval if you store stock at home, check with your local council

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much bulk stock you buy, the size of your range and how you store it. Starting with a small range helps limit cash tied up in unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your niche, your pricing and how many trade customers you win. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, so factor in stock and postage costs.

Check product safety and labelling rules with the ACCC and relevant authorities, especially for children's products, electrical items or food. Also check GST registration, import duty if you buy overseas, insurance, and council approval for storing stock at home.