Online ham and charcuterie delivery

Food lovers, gift buyers, and households ordering for festive meals or special occasions.

You sell products and gift boxes at a mark-up, with delivery charges added. Subscriptions and seasonal bundles can bring repeat orders.

• Setting up and running an online shop
• Food photography and product descriptions
• Careful packing and order handling
• Customer service by email and social media

• Register your food business with your local council, especially if you store or pack food at home, and check whether your home is suitable
• Keeping food cold in transit, with suitable packaging and couriers
• Distance selling rules, labelling and allergen information for online orders
• Courier costs and delays, especially in summer and at Christmas
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Permission from a landlord or mortgage lender if you plan to work from home

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on your stock, website, chilled packaging and courier arrangements. These are estimates, so get quotes for suitable packaging and insurance before you launch.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your range, marketing and order volume. Courier costs and delays, especially in summer and at Christmas, can eat into what you keep.

Check food business registration with your local council, especially if you store or pack food at home, and whether your home is suitable. Also check keeping food cold in transit, distance selling, labelling and allergen rules, and insurance.