Start an independent homeware shop

Local people furnishing or refreshing their homes, gift buyers and visitors to the area.

You buy stock at wholesale and sell at a markup. The shop needs to cover rent, rates, utilities and stock before it turns a profit.

• Buying and choosing stock
• Visual merchandising
• Budgeting and cash flow
• Customer service

• Lease terms, deposits and break clauses, get advice before signing
• Business rates, check whether small business rate relief might apply
• Public liability insurance, plus buildings and stock cover as needed
• Check planning use class for the premises with your council
• Slow trading periods and unsold stock tying up cash

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on the premises, the shop fit-out and how much opening stock you buy. Lease deposits and terms vary, so get advice before signing anything.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £4,000 to £18,000, depending on your location, range and whether you also sell online. Revenue is not profit, so allow for stock, rent, business rates and other running costs.

Check lease terms, deposits and break clauses, and get advice before signing. Look at business rates and whether small business rate relief might apply, confirm the planning use class with your council, and arrange public liability, buildings and stock insurance as needed.