Local sweet wholesale delivery round

Independent shops, newsagents, cafes, leisure centres, small vending businesses and event organisers.

You sell at a margin above your bulk buying price. Repeat orders from a steady set of customers on a weekly or fortnightly route build the income.

• Sales and building trade relationships
• Stock control and basic bookkeeping
• Route planning and reliable driving

• Food business registration with your local council, and check whether your storage premises need to be approved
• Food safety, labelling, allergen and date-code rules, check with your local authority
• Public liability and goods in transit insurance, plus van insurance for business use
• Thin margins and tied-up cash in stock, plus possible VAT registration as sales grow
• Large wholesalers can undercut you, so focus on service and smaller drops

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your van, the stock you buy and your storage. These are estimates, so price up your first bulk order and insurance before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £10,000, depending on how many customers you serve and the size of your drops. Margins are thin and cash gets tied up in stock, so treat this as an estimate.

Check food business registration with your local council, and whether your storage premises need approval. Also check food safety, labelling, allergen and date-code rules with your local authority, plus insurance and possible VAT registration as sales grow.