Hydroponics shop and trade supplier

Home growers, allotment holders, microgreen and salad growers, and small commercial or vertical farm growers.

Retail mark-up on products, better-margin trade orders for regular commercial customers, and repeat sales of nutrients and consumables.

• Good knowledge of lighting, nutrients and growing systems
• Stock buying and cash flow management
• Customer service and advice
• Building relationships with trade buyers

• Check planning permission and permitted use for your premises with the council
• Public liability, stock and product liability insurance
• Check storage and labelling rules for nutrients and chemicals
• Check electrical safety and product marking for lights and pumps
• Be careful about how you market grow equipment, and check you are not encouraging illegal growing
• Business rates and rent can be heavy if sales are slow, so check your costs carefully

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on your premises, stock and equipment. These are estimates. Rent and business rates can be heavy if sales are slow, so check your costs carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around £5,000 to £20,000, depending on your location, range and how many trade customers you win. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and a shop usually needs at least about 35 hours a week.

Check planning permission and permitted use for your premises with the council, and public liability, stock and product liability insurance. Also check storage and labelling rules for nutrients, electrical safety and product marking for lights and pumps, and how you market grow equipment.