Local appliance shop
Sell cookers, fridges and washing machines from a small shop, with delivery and fitting for local homes and landlords.
- £15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
3,400 UK companies in this field, 30% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 47540 “Retail sale of electrical household appliances in specialised stores”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
A small shop selling new, end-of-line and ex-display household appliances, with delivery, installation and removal of the old machine offered as extras.
Your first three steps
- Visit local appliance shops and compare brands, prices and the delivery service they offer
- Contact wholesalers, buying groups and manufacturers about trade accounts and minimum orders
- Look at shop units on streets with passing trade or parking, and check lease terms and business rates before committing
Who pays
Homeowners replacing a broken appliance, landlords furnishing rental properties, and people moving house.
How it makes money
Margin on each appliance sold, plus charges for delivery, installation, old appliance removal and extended warranties.
Skills that help
- Sales and clear product advice
- Negotiating with suppliers
- Basic stock and cash flow management
Watch out for
- Retailers of electrical goods usually have obligations under the WEEE rules to take back old items, check what applies to you
- Consumer Rights Act duties on faulty goods, refunds and repairs
- Lease terms, business rates and the cost of holding stock before it sells
- Public liability insurance, plus stock and contents cover and employer's liability if you hire
- Heavy lifting and van delivery, check manual handling and goods-in-transit cover
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: local appliance shop
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open an appliance shop?
Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on your premises, how much stock you buy and whether you add a delivery van. These are estimates, so get quotes for your own area before signing a lease.
How much can a small appliance shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your location, stock range and whether you offer delivery and fitting. Expect to work at least about 40 hours a week.
What rules should I check before selling appliances?
Check what WEEE take-back duties apply to you, your Consumer Rights Act duties on faulty goods, and your lease terms and business rates. Also check insurance, including public liability, stock cover and goods-in-transit cover for deliveries.
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