Online trade supplier for caterers
Run an online trade shop selling bulk ingredients and disposables to caterers, using a supplier that ships direct.
- £1k-6k
- Side hustle
- Online
Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.
Official data
6,300 UK companies in this field, 43% registered in the last 2 years
SIC 46390 “Non-specialised wholesale of food, beverages and tobacco”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.
What it is
An online wholesale shop serving food businesses. You list bulk ingredients, drinks or packaging and either ship from a small storage space or have suppliers send orders directly to your customers.
Your first three steps
- Choose a focus, such as street food traders or bakers, and list the products they buy most
- Agree trade terms with suppliers who offer direct delivery or low minimum orders
- Build a simple shop, set trade pricing and approach food traders through local groups and social media
Who pays
Mobile caterers, street food traders, small cafes, event caterers and bakers who order online and want bulk prices.
How it makes money
Margin on each bulk order, with repeat orders and larger basket sizes from regular trade customers.
Skills that help
- Online selling and basic website skills
- Organising stock and orders
- Supplier negotiation
- Customer service
Watch out for
- Food business registration with your local council if you store or handle food, check what applies to your set-up
- Distance selling and consumer rules if you sell to sole traders, check what applies to trade customers
- Product liability and public liability insurance
- Delivery costs and damaged goods can wipe out margins on heavy or chilled products
- VAT registration once turnover passes the threshold
Deep research report · UK
Everything you need to start: online trade supplier for caterers
Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start an online trade supplier?
Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on your website, opening stock or storage space, insurance and whether suppliers ship direct. Delivery costs and damaged goods can reduce margins on heavy or chilled products.
How much can an online trade shop for caterers earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your product range, pricing and how many caterers order regularly. These are estimates only, and delivery costs and damaged goods can wipe out margins on some products.
What rules should I check before selling to caterers online?
Check food business registration with your local council if you store or handle food, and what distance selling or consumer rules apply to sole trader customers. Also check product liability and public liability insurance, delivery costs and VAT registration once turnover passes the threshold.
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