Online lighting shop

Homeowners updating a room, renters, interior decorators, and small businesses such as cafes and offices.

You buy at trade price and sell at a markup. Bulbs and accessories add smaller extra sales to each order.

• Online selling and basic product photography
• Product knowledge, such as bulb types and fittings
• Customer service and handling returns

• Electrical product safety rules and correct markings for the UK, check with Trading Standards and your suppliers
• Whether you need to register under the WEEE rules for selling electrical items, check current guidance
• Online sales returns and cancellation rights, check the consumer rules
• Fragile items, so budget for good packaging and breakage
• Product liability and public liability insurance

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on stock, website set-up and packaging. Fragile items mean you should budget for good packaging and breakage.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £600 to £3,000, depending on your niche, range and how you sell. Handling returns and cancellations under consumer rules can affect what you keep.

Check electrical product safety rules and correct UK markings with Trading Standards and your suppliers. Also check whether you need to register under the WEEE rules, the consumer rules on returns, and product and public liability insurance.