Start a niche bike parts supplier to bike shops

Independent bike shops and small repair workshops that want products from a specialist rather than from the big distributors.

You buy at trade or manufacturer prices and sell to shops at a higher wholesale price. The margin on each item is small, so you earn from repeat orders and a growing list of shop accounts.

• Sales and building trade relationships
• Organised stock and order handling
• Knowledge of cycling and bike parts
• Basic bookkeeping

• Stock is paid for before it sells, so keep the first order small
• Late payment from trade customers: consider payment up front or short terms for new accounts
• Check product safety rules for what you sell, including any rules for bicycles, lights and batteries
• Check import duty and VAT if buying from outside the UK
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus cover for stock stored at home
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council allows storing business stock at home

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your range and how much stock you buy up front. These are estimates, and stock is paid for before it sells, so keep the first order small.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on your range, how many shops you supply and your order sizes. This is revenue before stock costs, shipping, insurance and other expenses.

Check product safety rules for what you sell, including bicycles, lights and batteries, import duty and VAT if buying from outside the UK, insurance for stock at home, and whether your landlord, lender or council allows storing business stock there.