Online deli boxes and hampers

Gift buyers, foodies and people ordering for birthdays, Christmas, corporate thank-yous and dinner parties.

Margin on the products plus the packaging and curation, with a delivery charge or postage built into the price.

• Choosing and combining products
• Online selling and social media
• Packing and organisation
• Customer service

• Register as a food business with your local council, and check whether your home kitchen or storage is suitable
• Labelling and allergen rules if you repack or make any items yourself
• Chilled products need careful packing and fast delivery, so many sellers stick to long-life items
• Check with your landlord or mortgage lender before storing stock and running the business from home
• Product liability and public liability insurance, plus courier costs and damaged parcels

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your website, opening stock, packaging and courier set-up. Many sellers stick to long-life items, as chilled products need careful packing and fast delivery.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £500 to £3,500, depending on your range, marketing and how busy gifting seasons are. Courier costs and damaged parcels can reduce what you keep, so budget for them.

Check how to register as a food business with your local council and whether your home kitchen or storage is suitable. Also check labelling and allergen rules if you repack items, landlord or lender permission, and insurance.