Retail business ideas you can start for under £1,000
8 ideas
These 8 retail ideas keep startup costs low by selling online, working from home or avoiding large stock purchases. They suit people who want to test a product idea without taking on a lease or a big loan.
Second-hand clothes online seller
Source second-hand clothes and sell them online and at the odd market from home.
- £100-1k
- Side hustle
- Online
Personal grocery shopper and delivery
Shop and deliver weekly groceries for busy or less mobile people in your local area.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Software licence reseller for local businesses
Supply and renew software licences for small local firms, run from home with personal service.
- £200-1k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online second-hand clothes seller
Source pre-owned clothes, photograph them at home and sell through resale apps and your own page.
- £100-800
- Side hustle
- From home
Online consignment seller from home
Collect items from local people, list them online and keep a share when they sell.
- £100-1k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online poster and print shop
Sell posters and wall prints online, printed to order so you hold no stock.
- £100-1k
- Side hustle
- Online
Online T-shirt store with print-on-demand
Sell your own T-shirt designs online while a print partner makes and posts each order.
- £100-800
- Side hustle
- Online
Online second-hand shop
Source pre-loved items and sell them through online marketplaces or your own web shop, working from home.
- £100-1k
- Side hustle
- Online
About these ideas
Options like an online second-hand shop or an online T-shirt store with print-on-demand let you begin small and reinvest early sales. A software licence reseller for local businesses suits someone who prefers building relationships over sourcing stock. Before you pick one, think about where your stock will come from, how much time you can give each week, and what you will need for postage, platform fees and storage. Check your margins on a few sample items first, and whether you would enjoy the daily routine of listing, packing and answering customer messages.
Questions
Do I need to register my retail business in the UK?
Often you will need to check whether you must register as self-employed with HMRC, especially if you trade regularly for profit. Occasional selling of personal items may be treated differently, so check current GOV.UK guidance for your situation.
What costs should I plan for beyond buying stock?
Look at marketplace or payment fees, packaging, postage, any equipment, insurance and website costs. For print-on-demand or reselling, also check supplier terms. Adding these up before you start helps show whether £1,000 is realistic.
Are there rules for selling second-hand or printed goods online?
Check consumer rights rules for distance selling, returns and accurate descriptions, plus product safety and labelling requirements for your items. For prints and designs, also confirm you have permission to use any images, logos or artwork.