Local cosmetics wholesaler with a small stockroom

Salons, barbers, beauty therapists, independent retailers and mobile beauty businesses in your area.

You buy in bulk at a discount and sell at trade prices. Faster local delivery and a wide range let you keep regular customers who reorder often.

• Supplier negotiation
• Stock control
• Building customer relationships
• Organising deliveries

• Cosmetics must meet UK regulations on safety, labelling and responsible persons, so check each product
• Check your unit lease, business rates and insurance for stock, including fire and theft cover
• Some products, such as aerosols or nail products, may have storage rules, so check with your insurer and fire safety guidance
• Public liability, product liability and goods in transit insurance are worth checking
• Rent and stock costs are fixed, so build up customers before taking on a large unit

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on the unit, the range of stock you hold and your insurance. Rent and stock costs are fixed, so build up customers before taking on a large unit.

Check that each product meets UK regulations on safety, labelling and responsible persons. Also check your unit lease, business rates and stock insurance, and storage rules for items such as aerosols or nail products with your insurer and fire safety guidance.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your range, how many salons and shops you supply and how often they reorder. This is revenue, not profit, and the idea assumes at least around 30 hours a week.