Start a local lighting showroom

Local homeowners, people renovating, electricians and builders, and small businesses needing lighting.

Retail markup on lights and bulbs, with extra sales from advice and bulk orders for trade customers.

• Retail selling and stock control
• Knowing light fittings, bulbs and room layouts
• Building relationships with local electricians and builders

• Lease terms, rent deposits and business rates, check with your council
• Electrical product safety and correct markings on stock, check with Trading Standards
• Whether you need to register under the WEEE rules for electrical goods, check current guidance
• Public liability and shop contents insurance
• Slow stock, since larger fittings can sit unsold, so start with a modest range

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, the size of your display and how much stock you buy. Starting with a modest range can help limit money tied up in slow-selling larger fittings.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on your location, range and how many local homeowners, electricians and builders you win as customers. These are estimates, not guarantees, and costs such as rent come out of this.

Check lease terms, rent deposits and business rates with your council. Also check electrical product safety and markings with Trading Standards, whether WEEE registration applies, and your public liability and shop contents insurance.