Online American snacks and drinks shop

Fans of American brands, parents buying treats, gift buyers and people who want a taste of the US.

You buy stock from UK importers or wholesalers and sell at a mark-up, plus delivery charges. Gift boxes and monthly snack boxes can raise the value of each order.

• Choosing products that sell
• Online selling and photography
• Stock and order management

• Food business registration with your local council, check this before selling food from home
• Labelling rules for imported food, including UK-specific labelling and allergen information, so check with Trading Standards
• Best before dates, storage and some products that may be restricted or banned in the UK, so check each product
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows you to store stock at home
• Postage costs on heavy items like drinks, and breakage on bottles and cans

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the range of stock you buy and how you set up your website or marketplace listings. Starting with a small range keeps early spending lower.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £4,000, depending on your range, marketing and hours worked. These are revenue estimates, not profit, so allow for stock, postage costs on heavy items and breakages.

Check food business registration with your local council before selling food from home. Check UK labelling and allergen rules with Trading Standards, best before dates, and whether any product is restricted or banned in the UK. Also check your landlord or mortgage lender allows stock at home.