Online bedding store

Households buying for themselves or as gifts, plus small hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets that reorder in bulk.

You buy at trade price and sell at a markup, either through your own website or marketplaces like Etsy, Amazon or eBay. Larger orders from holiday lets and B&Bs can lift your average sale.

• Choosing products that sell
• Basic online selling and photography
• Organised stock and order handling
• Customer service, including returns

• Online sellers must follow consumer rules on returns and refunds, so check the current rules and write clear policies
• Check labelling and fire safety rules for bedding and pillows before you sell, as some products have specific requirements
• Dropshipping can mean slow delivery and quality you cannot check, so order samples first
• Check whether you need to register for VAT once sales grow

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on whether you hold stock or use suppliers who post direct. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £3,000, depending on your niche and how many customers you reach.

Check the current consumer rules on returns and refunds and write clear policies. Also check labelling and fire safety rules for bedding and pillows, as some products have specific requirements, and whether you need to register for VAT once sales grow.

The estimates suggest at least around 8 hours a week. You need to choose products that sell, handle basic online selling and photography, keep stock and orders organised, and manage customer service, including returns.