Online chocolate gift shop

Gift buyers, people sending presents to friends and family, and businesses buying client or staff gifts.

Profit on each order, with higher margins on curated gift sets and corporate orders. Delivery charges can cover postage costs.

• Online selling and basic website setup
• Product photography
• Packing and order handling
• Social media marketing

• Register as a food business with your local council, and check home kitchen or storage rules and any landlord or mortgage permission
• Distance selling rules apply, so check customer cancellation and refund rights, particularly for perishable goods
• Allergen and labelling rules apply to food you pack and sell, so check what you must show online and on the box
• Melting in transit is a real risk in summer, so consider insulated packaging or pausing shipping in hot weather
• Public liability and product liability insurance are worth checking

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £1,500 to £7,000, depending on website setup, stock, packaging and insurance. Consider insulated packaging for summer, as melting in transit is a real risk.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your range, website traffic and order volume. Plan for at least about 8 hours a week, and consider pausing shipping in hot weather.

Check that you register as a food business with your local council, plus home kitchen or storage rules and any landlord or mortgage permission. Check distance selling rules on cancellation and refunds, allergen and labelling rules, and public liability and product liability insurance.