Footwear wholesale from a small unit

Independent shoe shops, clothing boutiques, schools' uniform suppliers, market traders and online retailers.

Margin between your buying price and trade selling price, built up through repeat orders and trade accounts. Fast restocking and a reliable range help you keep customers.

• Buying and negotiating
• Stock control
• Managing cash flow
• Selling to trade customers
• Basic packing and dispatch

• Check the lease, business rates and any planning or use-class limits on the unit
• Arrange stock, buildings contents and public liability insurance, and employer's liability if you hire
• Check product safety, labelling and import duty and VAT rules for the footwear you sell
• Offering credit terms to shops risks late or unpaid invoices, so check customers before agreeing terms
• Large stock purchases can tie up cash, especially with seasonal ranges

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on your stock and unit. These are estimates only. Large stock purchases can tie up cash, especially with seasonal ranges, so plan carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on your range and trade customers. These are estimates only. Offering credit terms risks late or unpaid invoices, so check customers before agreeing terms.

Check your lease, business rates and any planning or use-class limits on the unit. Check product safety, labelling, import duty and VAT rules for the footwear you sell, and arrange stock, buildings contents and public liability insurance.