Independent children's bookshop: open a small shop

Parents, grandparents and gift buyers, plus local schools, nurseries and libraries buying in bulk.

You buy books from wholesalers or publishers at a trade discount and sell at the cover price. Extra income can come from school orders, events, book subscriptions and gifts.

• Knowing children's books and age ranges
• Stock buying and ordering
• Friendly customer service
• Basic bookkeeping

• Lease terms, rent and business rates, so check with the council whether any relief applies to you
• Thin margins after trade discount, so work out your break-even sales before signing anything
• Unsold stock tying up cash, so check returns terms with each supplier
• Public liability insurance and stock and contents cover
• Any planning or change-of-use permission needed for the premises, which you should check with the council

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on your premises, stock and fit-out. Margins are thin after trade discount, so work out your break-even sales before signing a lease or ordering stock.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on location, stock and events. Unsold stock can tie up cash, so check returns terms with each supplier and keep an eye on break-even sales.

Check lease terms, rent and business rates, and ask the council whether any relief applies to you. Also check any planning or change-of-use permission for the premises, plus public liability insurance and stock and contents cover.