Cane and wicker furniture showroom

Local homeowners, garden and conservatory buyers, and hospitality buyers such as pubs, cafes, hotels and holiday lets.

Retail mark-up on furniture and accessories such as cushions and plant stands. Trade orders for hospitality customers add larger, repeat sales, and you may offer delivery for a fee.

• Retail selling and merchandising
• Buying and stock control
• Building relationships with trade customers
• Managing cash flow

• Commercial lease terms, deposits and business rates, so check for small business rate relief with your council
• Furniture fire safety rules for upholstered and padded items, check what applies to your stock
• Public liability, stock and contents insurance
• Cash tied up in stock, since slow seasons can hurt (garden furniture is often seasonal)
• Employer's liability insurance if you hire staff

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on the unit you choose, the deposit and fit-out, and how much stock you buy to display. These are estimates, so check lease terms and business rates before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your location, your range and whether you win trade customers such as pubs and holiday lets. That is revenue, not profit, and garden furniture is often seasonal.

Check commercial lease terms, deposits and business rates, including small business rate relief with your council. Check furniture fire safety rules for upholstered and padded items, and arrange public liability, stock and contents insurance, plus employer's liability insurance if you hire staff.