Online retail business ideas you can start in the UK

313 ideas

These 313 online retail ideas are for people who want to sell products without renting a shop. They suit anyone who can handle orders, photos and customer messages, whether you are starting alongside a job or aiming to build something bigger.

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Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premises
Jars of dried herbs and teas on shelves in a traditional remedy shop.

Online East Asian herbs and teas store

Sell teas, herbs and wellness products from East Asian traditions through your own website, run from home.

  • £1.5k-7k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of power tools and construction equipment in a trade supply store.

Online power tool and trade supplies shop

Sell power tools, accessories and site kit to tradespeople online, without needing a shop.

  • £800-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
905 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of colourful fabric bolts in a shop for dressmakers.

Online fabric and haberdashery shop

Sell curated fabrics, trims and sewing supplies to UK makers through your own website or marketplaces.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,072 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of motorcycle parts, helmets and gear in a shop.

Online motorcycle parts and kit shop

Sell parts, accessories and riding gear to riders online, from a spare room or garage.

  • £1k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Trays of drawer handles, hinges and fittings in a supplier warehouse.

Online furniture fittings and handles shop

Sell handles, hinges, legs and fittings online to DIYers, kitchen fitters and small makers.

  • £500-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,382 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
Perfume bottles lined up on a shop counter with a customer sampling scents.

Online perfume shop with sample sets

Sell fragrances and discovery sample sets online, with friendly scent advice to help people choose.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
10,030 UK companies in this field, 47% registered in the last 2 years
Bidders raising paddles in an auction house room during a sale.

Online auction house for a niche

Sell collectables, vintage or other specialist items for owners through online auctions, and keep a commission on each sale.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
20,012 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years
Bundles of human hair extensions arranged on a display table.

Online hair extensions shop

Sell clip-in, weft and tape-in hair extensions to customers across the UK through your own website or marketplace shop.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
8,575 UK companies in this field, 46% registered in the last 2 years
Woven tatami mats covering the floor of a traditional Japanese-style room.

Online tatami and Japanese flooring shop

Sell tatami mats and matching flooring online to homeowners, yoga fans and Japanese-style interior projects.

  • £1.5k-7.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
5,253 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
Rack of colourful greeting cards and wrapping paper in a card shop.

Online greeting card shop

Sell cards and wrapping through your own website or marketplace shop, packed and posted from home.

  • £300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,265 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of colourful buttons, threads and zips in a haberdashery shop.

Online haberdashery shop

Sell buttons, ribbons, threads and sewing supplies online to crafters, from a spare room at home.

  • £500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,072 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Drawing board with set squares, scales and pens on a desk.

Online drafting and technical drawing shop

Sell drawing boards, scale rules and technical pens to architecture and engineering students and professionals online.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,265 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Parent and child choosing toys from colourful shelves in a toy shop.

Online independent toy shop

Sell a carefully chosen range of toys and games through your own website and marketplaces.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,843 UK companies in this field, 48% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of sheet music books and folios in a music shop.

Online sheet music shop

Sell printed sheet music and exam books online to students, teachers and players, from home.

  • £600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
935 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
Display of phone cases, chargers and screen protectors in a retail shop.

Online phone accessories shop

Sell cases, chargers and screen protectors through your own website or a marketplace, often without holding much stock.

  • £300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,413 UK companies in this field, 39% registered in the last 2 years
Wine bottles displayed on shelves in an independent wine shop.

Online wine shop with local delivery

Sell a focused range of wines through your own website, with delivery or collection, and no high street rent.

  • £4k-20k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
5,349 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
Colourful paint tins and brushes displayed on shelves in a decorating supply shop.

Online specialist paint shop

Sell a focused range of paints and decorating supplies online, such as furniture or eco paints, with delivery to customers.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,482 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
Colourful fashion jewellery and accessories displayed in a retail shop.

Online costume jewellery shop

Sell affordable fashion jewellery and accessories through your own website or online marketplaces.

  • £300-2.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
8,496 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years
Finished leather bags and belts packed and stacked in a supplier's storeroom.

Online trade supplier of leather goods

Source bags, belts and wallets from makers and sell them in bulk to shops and resellers through a trade website.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
15,000 UK companies in this field, 42% registered in the last 2 years
Rows of cleaning product bottles and drums stacked in a chemical distribution warehouse.

Online cleaning supplies shop for small firms

Sell cleaning products online to small cleaning firms and households, shipped from a small stock base.

  • £1k-5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,599 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Dried Chinese herbs and teas in wooden drawers in a traditional apothecary shop.

Online Chinese herbs and teas store

Sell Chinese herbal teas and natural wellbeing products online from home, with no shop rent to pay.

  • £1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Model trains, track and scenery accessories displayed in a railway hobby shop.

Online model railway shop

Sell model trains, track and scenery to UK hobbyists through your own website and online marketplaces.

  • £1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,843 UK companies in this field, 48% registered in the last 2 years
Resistors, chips and connectors laid out on an electronics workbench.

Online electronic components shop

Sell resistors, connectors and chips to hobbyists and repairers through your own site and online marketplaces.

  • £500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
6,604 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years
Customers browsing laptops and desktop computers displayed in a bright computer store.

Online computer and parts seller

Sell computers, components and accessories online from home, with setup and advice for customers.

  • £1k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
3,880 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

Ideas range from a second-hand clothes online seller to an online home brewing supplies shop or a specialist online martial arts supply shop. Before choosing, think about where your stock will come from, how much space you need to store it, and whether you will hold it yourself or have a supplier post it for you. Check postage costs and returns too, because bulky or fragile items can eat into your margin. Start with a niche you understand, then compare it against your budget and the time you can give it each week.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need to register my online shop in the UK?

Usually you will need to check whether you must register as self-employed or set up a company, and whether your income or product type needs anything extra. GOV.UK has guidance on both. It is worth checking before your first sale.

What rules should I check before selling products online?

Check consumer rights rules on returns and refunds, how you describe products, and any safety requirements for what you sell. Knives, costumes and electrical items may have specific rules. Also check data protection duties if you collect customer details.

Should I hold stock or use a supplier to ship for me?

Holding stock gives you more control and often better margins, but needs space and upfront cash. Using a supplier to ship reduces risk, though you rely on their quality and delivery times. Check costs, contracts and how returns would be handled.