Start an online european food store

Europeans living in the UK far from a specialist shop, plus home cooks and gift buyers who want authentic products.

You sell at a markup over wholesale prices plus a delivery charge. Bundles, gift boxes and subscriptions can increase the value of each order.

• Basic online shop setup
• Packing and posting orders
• Social media or content marketing
• Stock and order tracking

• Register as a food business with your council, even if you work from home, and check what is needed for storing stock
• Labelling, allergen and best-before rules for food sold online. Check with trading standards or your council
• Avoid chilled or fragile goods at first, as shipping and spoilage costs can erode profit
• Check with your landlord or mortgage lender before storing stock at home
• Product liability and public liability insurance
• Postage costs and returns can squeeze margins, so price carefully

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on your opening stock, website setup and packaging. These are estimates, so also allow for postage costs and storage space for your stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £5,000, depending on your range, marketing and order volume. Postage costs and returns can squeeze margins, so price carefully. Treat this as an estimate, not a promise.

Check that you register as a food business with your council, even if you work from home, and what is needed for storing stock. Check labelling, allergen and best-before rules with trading standards, and ask your landlord or mortgage lender about storing stock at home.