Home-based household goods trade supplier

Market traders, independent shops, holiday lets, B&Bs, small cafes and community groups that want reliable trade prices without buying in huge volumes.

You buy at trade or bulk prices and sell at a margin, often with a minimum order. Repeat orders from regular customers matter more than one-off sales.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Organised stock and order tracking
• Building trade relationships
• Basic bookkeeping

• Product safety and labelling rules for what you sell, especially electrical items and cleaning chemicals, so check with Trading Standards
• If you import, check customs duty, VAT and UK product marking requirements
• Storing stock at home may need permission from your landlord or mortgage lender, and home insurance may not cover stock, so check both
• Public liability and stock insurance
• Cash flow, because money is tied up in stock and some customers pay late

Startup costs are estimates, typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on the product lines you choose, how much stock you buy in bulk, storage and insurance. Focusing on one or two lines can keep the first order smaller.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your products, prices and customers. Cash flow matters, because money is tied up in stock and some customers pay late. Allow at least around 10 hours a week.

Check product safety and labelling rules with Trading Standards, especially for electrical items and cleaning chemicals. If you import, check customs duty, VAT and UK product marking. Check whether your landlord, lender or home insurer allows stock at home.