Online japanese sweets and snack box shop

Japan fans, gift buyers and people who want treats they cannot find in local supermarkets.

You sell items and curated boxes at a mark-up on your buying price, with postage charged or built into the price. Monthly subscription boxes can bring repeat orders.

• Packing and posting orders
• Photography and social media
• Spotting popular products

• Food business registration with your council, including for a home kitchen or storage space, so check what applies
• Check with your landlord or mortgage lender about running a business from home
• Labelling, allergen information and import rules for food from Japan, which you should check on government guidance
• Short best before dates and heat damage in the post, especially chocolate in summer
• Marketplace fees and postage costs can reduce margins on cheap items
• Public liability and product liability insurance

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on your stock, packaging and how you sell, such as your own website, Etsy, eBay or social media. These are estimates rather than guarantees.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £5,000, depending on your products, sales channel and time spent, from around 8 hours a week. Marketplace fees and postage can reduce margins on cheap items.

Check food business registration with your council, including for home storage space, and check with your landlord or mortgage lender about running a business from home. Also check labelling, allergen and import rules for food from Japan on government guidance.