Niche wholesale supplier, run from home

Independent convenience stores, ethnic grocers, cafes, takeaways, market traders and small hospitality businesses.

You buy at trade price and sell at a margin on each case. Margins per item are usually thin, so repeat weekly or fortnightly orders matter more than one-off deals.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Selling and building relationships with shop owners
• Organised stock and invoicing

• Food businesses usually need to register with the local council, check this if you store or handle food
• Food labelling, date codes and traceability rules, check what applies to your products
• Alcohol wholesalers must be approved by HMRC, and tobacco has extra rules, so check before stocking either
• Storing stock at home may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender, and may affect home insurance
• Cash flow, shops may ask for credit terms while you pay suppliers up front
• Public liability and stock insurance

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on the range you choose, how much opening stock you buy and what storage and insurance you need. Your own supplier terms will also affect the total.

Monthly revenue is typically around £2,000 to £9,000 as an estimate, depending on your range, how many shops you supply and the size of their orders. That is revenue before stock and running costs. Time needed is typically at least 15 hours a week.

Check whether you must register with your local council if you store or handle food, and which labelling, date code and traceability rules apply. Alcohol wholesalers must be approved by HMRC, tobacco has extra rules, and home storage may need landlord or lender permission.