Online niche fabric trade supplier

Dressmakers, upholsterers, curtain makers, small fashion labels, theatre costume makers and independent fabric shops.

You buy at mill or trade prices and sell at a margin per metre or per roll. Trade accounts and repeat orders from a few steady buyers matter more than one-off sales.

• Knowing fabrics, weights and uses
• Sourcing and negotiating with suppliers
• Basic online selling and stock records
• Reliable packing and dispatch

• Check if you need to register for VAT as your turnover grows
• If buying from overseas mills, check import duties, customs paperwork and shipping costs
• Check fire safety rules for upholstery and furnishing fabrics, and labelling rules for textiles
• Check your home insurance and any tenancy or mortgage terms before storing stock at home
• Slow-paying trade customers can hurt cash flow, so think about payment terms
• Unsold stock ties up money, so start with small quantities

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on the fabric niche you choose and how much stock you buy. These are estimates. Starting with small quantities helps, because unsold stock ties up your money.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on your niche, pricing and trade customer base. That is revenue before stock and shipping costs. Slow-paying trade customers can hurt cash flow, so think about payment terms.

Check whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows, fire safety rules for upholstery and furnishing fabrics, and textile labelling rules. If importing, check duties and customs paperwork. Also check your home insurance and any tenancy or mortgage terms before storing stock.