Online glassware and gift shop

Households, gift shoppers, people setting up a home bar or dining table, and small cafes or bars buying in modest quantities.

You buy at trade or wholesale prices (or source vintage pieces) and sell at a markup. Gift sets, bundles and engraving or personalisation can lift the value of each order.

• Product photography with a phone or simple setup
• Careful packing
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping and stock tracking

• Breakages in the post: use strong packaging and check what your courier covers
• Distance selling rules on returns and refunds, check the current consumer rights guidance
• Check that glasses meant for drinking come with supplier confirmation that they are suitable for food contact
• Public liability or product liability insurance, and whether your home insurer allows stock stored at home
• Postage costs can eat into margins on heavy items, so price shipping carefully

Estimates are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on stock, website or marketplace set-up, packaging and insurance. Postage costs can eat into margins on heavy items, so price shipping carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £600 to £3,000, depending on your niche, range and how well you market it. This is revenue, not profit, so allow for stock, postage and selling costs.

Check distance selling rules on returns and refunds, and ask suppliers to confirm that drinking glasses are suitable for food contact. Also check public liability or product liability insurance and whether your home insurer allows stock stored at home.