Appliance wholesaler with a small stock unit

Independent appliance shops, second-hand dealers, kitchen fitters, housing providers, landlords and letting agents.

Margin between bulk buying price and trade selling price. Fast stock turnover and local availability let you charge for convenience.

• Buying and pricing stock
• Basic stock control
• Negotiating with suppliers and trade buyers
• Handling heavy goods safely

• Public liability and stock insurance, and check whether you need goods-in-transit cover
• Describe graded or ex-display items accurately, and check how consumer and trade sales rules apply
• Check your WEEE obligations and how old appliances and packaging will be disposed of
• Tied-up cash: unsold stock can sit for months, so start with small batches
• Manual handling risks, and a van or delivery partner may be needed
• Check the unit's permitted use and business rates with your landlord and council

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on the unit, your first stock purchases, insurance and transport. These are estimates, and starting with small batches can limit the cash tied up in unsold stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £10,000 to £50,000, depending on the stock you buy, your pricing and how many trade buyers you serve. Unsold stock can sit for months, so cash flow needs careful watching.

Check public liability, stock and goods-in-transit insurance, and your WEEE obligations for old appliances and packaging. Describe graded or ex-display items accurately, check how consumer and trade sales rules apply, and check the unit's permitted use and business rates.