Clothing wholesaler with a stock unit

Independent boutiques, market traders, charity and vintage shops, and online sellers who prefer to see items before buying.

You sell stock at trade prices above your buying cost. Repeat orders from regular shops build steady income, while the unit adds rent and running costs you must cover.

• Buying and range planning
• Sales and relationship building
• Stock control
• Managing cash flow

• Rent, rates and utilities are fixed costs, so check the full price of a unit before signing
• Check insurance for stock, premises and public liability, and employer's liability if you hire staff
• Check labelling, safety and product rules, especially for children's clothing, and avoid counterfeit branded goods
• Offering credit to shops risks late or unpaid invoices, so check customers and set clear payment terms
• Check VAT registration rules and planning or use-class rules for the unit with the landlord or council

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on the unit you rent and how much stock you buy. Check the full price of a unit, including rent, rates and utilities, before signing. These figures are estimates.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your range, how many trade buyers you win and how many repeat orders you take. Offering credit to shops can mean late payments, so set clear terms.

Check insurance for stock, premises and public liability, plus employer's liability if you hire staff. Check labelling, safety and product rules, especially for children's clothing, and avoid counterfeit branded goods. Also check VAT registration rules and planning or use-class rules for the unit.