Online beauty wholesaler for salons and small shops

Independent salons, nail and lash technicians, small gift and beauty shops, and online sellers who need regular stock.

You earn the difference between your bulk buying price and your trade price. Minimum order values and repeat orders from regular customers help make each parcel worthwhile.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Stock and cash flow management
• Building trade customer relationships

• Cosmetics sold in the UK must meet UK cosmetics regulations, including having a responsible person and product notification. Check the current rules with the government and Trading Standards
• Only buy from authorised suppliers, as counterfeit or grey-market stock is a real risk. Ask for proof of authenticity and check any brand restrictions
• Check labelling, shelf life and storage requirements, as some products have expiry dates or are affected by heat and damp
• Product liability insurance and possibly public liability cover. Check what your insurer needs for storing stock at home
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to storing stock or running a business from home
• Cash tied up in stock can strain a small business, so start with fast-selling lines

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on the range of products you stock, how much you buy in bulk and the trade website you set up. Starting with fast-selling lines can help limit cash tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £5,000, depending on your product lines, your trade customer base and your pricing. Revenue is not profit, as you pay suppliers for stock up front.

Things to check: UK cosmetics regulations, including having a responsible person and product notification (via the government and Trading Standards), authorised suppliers to avoid counterfeit stock, labelling and storage needs, insurance, and whether you may store stock at home.