Lampshade wholesaler with a stocked unit

Lighting and furniture retailers, interior designers, decorators, hotels, restaurants and other trade buyers who want shades quickly without long lead times.

Margin between your bulk buying price and your trade price. Holding stock lets you win repeat orders from customers who need fast supply, and larger volumes can improve your buying terms.

• Stock buying and cash flow planning
• Building trade relationships
• Packing, handling and basic admin

• Rent, business rates and stock tie up cash, so plan for slow early months
• Insurance for premises, stock and public liability, and employer's liability if you hire
• Product safety rules for shades and fittings you sell, check with Trading Standards
• Check planning use class and lease terms for trade counter sales at the unit
• VAT registration becomes compulsory above a turnover threshold, check current limits with HMRC

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on your unit, the range of stock you buy and any fit-out. These are estimates. Rent, business rates and stock tie up cash, so plan for slow early months.

Monthly revenue is typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on your range, location and how many trade buyers you supply. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and you would need at least about 30 hours a week.

Check planning use class and lease terms for trade counter sales, plus insurance for premises, stock and public liability, and employer's liability if you hire. Also check product safety rules with Trading Standards and current VAT registration limits with HMRC.