Independent bed and mattress shop

Local households, first-time buyers, families furnishing a child's room, landlords and people replacing an old mattress.

You buy from manufacturers or wholesalers and sell at a mark-up. Extra income can come from delivery, assembly, old mattress removal, bedding and accessories, and finance offers.

• Friendly, honest selling
• Knowing mattress types and bed sizes
• Managing stock, orders and suppliers
• Organising deliveries

• Mattresses and bed bases are covered by UK furniture fire safety rules and labelling, so check with Trading Standards and your suppliers
• Check the lease, business rates, and whether the unit's permitted use allows retail
• Public liability and stock insurance, plus employer's liability insurance if you take on staff
• Cash tied up in display stock and long supplier lead times
• If you remove old mattresses, check whether you need waste carrier registration
• Check your delivery arrangements and what happens with returns and faulty goods

Startup costs are typically around £20,000 to £80,000, depending on the premises, how many display models you stock and your fit-out. Treat this as an estimate, and remember cash can be tied up in display stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on your location, range and how well you attract local households. This is an estimate of revenue, not profit, so allow for rent, rates and supplier costs.

Mattresses and bed bases are covered by UK furniture fire safety rules and labelling, so check with Trading Standards and your suppliers. Also check the lease, business rates, permitted retail use, insurance and waste carrier registration if you remove old mattresses.