Home-based trade lampshade supplier

Independent lighting shops, interior designers, gift shops, furniture retailers and small hotels or holiday let owners.

You buy at a wholesale price and sell at a trade price with a margin. Minimum order values and repeat orders from regular shops help keep it worthwhile.

• Finding and negotiating with suppliers
• An eye for style and quality
• Organised stock and order handling

• Public liability and product liability insurance, check what cover suits a product seller
• Product safety rules for the shades and any fittings you sell, check with Trading Standards or your supplier
• If importing, check customs, duty and VAT rules and whether you need an EORI number
• Bulky, fragile stock needs space at home and good packaging, and damaged goods eat into margin
• Check whether you need permission to store stock at home from your landlord, mortgage lender or council

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on how much stock you hold and whether suppliers send orders direct. These are estimates. Bulky, fragile stock needs space and good packaging, so allow for that.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on your range, supplier terms and how many trade customers you win. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and you would need at least about 12 hours a week.

Check public liability and product liability insurance, and product safety rules for shades and fittings with Trading Standards or your supplier. If importing, check customs, duty, VAT and EORI rules, and whether you need permission to store stock at home.