Online clothing and fabric wholesaler

Independent boutiques, market traders, online sellers, dressmakers, tailors and small makers who buy in bulk.

You buy at wholesale or factory prices and sell at a margin, usually with minimum order sizes or bulk price breaks.

• Finding and negotiating with suppliers
• Spotting what small shops want to buy
• Basic online selling and record keeping

• Check product safety and labelling rules for clothing, especially children's wear and fabric content labelling
• If you import, check customs duty, VAT and import paperwork
• Check whether you can keep stock at home under your tenancy or mortgage terms
• Late-paying trade customers, so consider payment upfront or credit checks
• Return and quality problems with supplier goods, so agree terms in writing

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on how much stock you buy and whether suppliers ship direct. Monthly revenue is typically estimated at £500 to £4,000, depending on your niche and trade customers.

Check product safety and labelling rules for clothing, especially children's wear and fabric content labelling. If you import, check customs duty, VAT and import paperwork. Also check whether you can keep stock at home under your tenancy or mortgage terms.

Estimates suggest from around 8 hours a week. You will need to find and negotiate with suppliers, spot what small shops want, and keep basic records. Agree terms in writing and consider upfront payment or credit checks for trade customers.