Retail business ideas you can start from home in the UK

99 ideas

These 99 retail ideas can be run from a spare room, garage or kitchen table, with no shop lease. Some suit hands-on makers, such as an online dried flower studio or a custom stamp and wax seal maker.

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Under 1k 1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k Out and about Own premises Online

Bonsai trees displayed on benches in a nursery greenhouse.

Home bonsai nursery selling online

Grow and train bonsai at home, then sell trees, pots and tools to hobbyists and gift buyers online.

£500-3k
Side hustle
From home

858 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years

Tailcoats and evening gowns displayed on a rack in a formal wear rental shop.

Dress and formalwear hire from home

Hire out gowns, prom dresses and formal outfits by appointment from a spare room, with a small, carefully chosen collection.

£1.5k-7k
Side hustle
From home

1,108 UK companies in this field, 41% registered in the last 2 years

Gold and colourful bangles stacked on display cushions in a jewellery shop.

Online bangle and jewellery shop

Sell bangles and matching jewellery online for weddings, festivals and gifts, packed and posted from home.

£300-1.5k
Side hustle
From home

8,496 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years

Courier carrying a wrapped flower bouquet to a front door.

Home-based online flower delivery

Take gift bouquet orders through a simple website and deliver them locally from your home or a rented bench.

£500-3k
Side hustle
From home

199,257 UK companies in this field, 56% registered in the last 2 years

Assorted loose gemstones arranged on a dealer's velvet tray.

Online loose gemstone seller

Buy loose gemstones in small lots and sell them online to jewellery makers and collectors.

£1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

8,496 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years

Jars of colourful sweets and chocolates displayed in a traditional sweet shop.

Online sweets and gift boxes

Sell retro sweets, chocolates and gift hampers online and at local markets from home.

£500-4k
Side hustle
From home

7,128 UK companies in this field, 39% registered in the last 2 years

Wigs on mannequin heads displayed on shelves in a styling shop.

Private wig fitting studio at home

Fit and style wigs by appointment in a private space at home, ideal for customers who want a calm, discreet service.

£1.5k-6k
Side hustle
From home

10,030 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years

Stacks of wicker and woven baskets displayed in a supplier's store.

Home-based basket wholesaler

Stock gift, storage and florist baskets at home and sell in bulk to local florists, hamper makers and gift shops.

£1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

6,931 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years

Rare antiquarian books lined up on wooden shelves in a quiet bookshop.

Online rare and antiquarian book dealer

Find, describe and sell collectable books to collectors and libraries through online listings and catalogues.

£1k-5k
Side hustle
From home

2,522 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years

Installer fitting rows of commercial seating in a public venue.

Home-based commercial seating reseller

Source seating for offices, venues and public spaces from home, and use fitters or suppliers for delivery and installation.

£500-3k
Side hustle
From home

936 UK companies in this field, 39% registered in the last 2 years

Buyer examining gold and diamond jewellery with a loupe at a counter.

Diamond and gold buyer, by post or appointment

Buy unwanted diamonds, gold and jewellery by post or by appointment, then sell on to dealers or refiners.

£2k-12k
Side hustle
From home

8,496 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years

Optician adjusting a spectacle frame with small tools at a repair counter.

Home spectacle repair by post

Fix broken frames, screws and nose pads from a home bench, taking work by post, drop-off or through local shops.

£300-2k
Side hustle
From home

3,942 UK companies in this field, 13% registered in the last 2 years

Piles of mixed scrap materials and second-hand items sorted in a yard.

Salvage and scrap reseller

Buy salvage and second-hand goods cheaply, clean, repair and resell what you can online or at car boot sales, and sell the rest on as scrap.

£300-1.5k
Side hustle
From home

2,001 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

Bolts of colourful silk fabric displayed in a fabric shop.

Online silk fabric and accessories shop

Sell silk by the metre, plus scarves and accessories, to dressmakers and gift buyers through your own website or marketplaces.

£1.5k-7k
Side hustle
From home

4,072 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years

Antique wooden furniture pieces displayed in a showroom for interior buyers.

Online antique furniture dealer

Buy, restore lightly and resell antique furniture through online marketplaces and your own site, working from home.

£1k-6k
Side hustle
From home

2,522 UK companies in this field, 24% registered in the last 2 years

Stacks of suitcases and travel bags packed in a wholesale warehouse.

Online luggage and bag wholesaler

Buy suitcases and bags from makers and sell in bulk to small shops and online sellers, shipping from a spare room or small store.

£3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

6,931 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years

Stacks of fabric lampshades arranged on shelves in a supplier's warehouse.

Home-based trade lampshade supplier

Buy lampshades in bulk from makers and sell them to shops and designers through a simple trade catalogue.

£1.5k-8k
Side hustle
From home

3,382 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years

Jeweller at a shop counter showing rings and watches to a customer.

Jewellery and watch repair and engraving

Repair, resize and engrave jewellery and watches for local customers and other shops from a home workshop.

£1.5k-7.5k
Side hustle
From home

8,496 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years

Loose cut diamonds spread on a dealer's velvet tray under light.

Certified diamond seller for private buyers

Sell certified loose diamonds online and by appointment to couples choosing an engagement ring.

£3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

3,186 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years

Diamond supplier to independent jewellers

Supply certified and matched diamonds to small jewellers and makers who don't hold their own stock.

£5k-25k
Part-time
From home

3,186 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years

Home-based refurbished kit trade supplier

Buy used or surplus computers and parts in bulk, then sell to local repair shops and resellers.

£2k-10k
Side hustle
From home

4,389 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years

Office supplies delivered to local businesses

Supply stationery, paper and consumables to small local firms from home, with an easy order form and next-day local delivery.

£1.5k-8k
Side hustle
From home

2,265 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years

Online supplier to salons and therapists

Buy professional beauty products in bulk and sell them to local salons and mobile therapists through a simple trade website.

£1.5k-8k
Side hustle
From home

8,575 UK companies in this field, 46% registered in the last 2 years

Home-based niche yarn and thread supplier

Buy yarn and thread in bulk, store it at home and supply small shops, makers and weavers online.

£1.5k-7.5k
Side hustle
From home

4,661 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Others suit people who enjoy sourcing and reselling, such as an online used guitar dealer or a home watch repair service. Think first about where your stock will live, how much space you can spare, and who will buy from you. Check whether your lease, mortgage or insurance allows trading from home, and how you will handle postage, returns and customer data. Start with one narrow product range, test demand with a small first batch, and keep costs low until sales are steady.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need permission to run a retail business from home in the UK?

It depends on your situation. Check your tenancy agreement or mortgage terms, whether your home insurance covers business stock, and whether your local council has any rules if you expect visitors, deliveries or noise. Ask your landlord or insurer if unsure.

What should I check before selling products online from home?

Look at consumer rules on returns and product descriptions, product safety requirements for what you sell, and how you will store customer data. Also check whether you need to register for tax with HMRC. GOV.UK and Trading Standards are good starting points.

How do I choose a home retail idea that suits me?

Match the idea to your space, budget and skills. Consider storage needs, whether you will make, repair or resell items, and how much time you can commit each week. A narrow niche with a clear customer is usually easier to test cheaply.