Lingerie wholesaler with a small stock unit

Independent lingerie and clothing shops, department store concessions, online sellers and market traders who reorder regularly.

You sell stock at trade prices with minimum orders and repeat reorders. Holding stock lets you offer fast delivery and smaller top-up orders that buyers value.

• Buying and range planning
• Cash flow and stock control
• Sales and account management
• Packing and dispatch

• Check the unit's permitted use, business rates and lease terms before signing
• Stock insurance, fire and theft cover, and public liability insurance
• Check product safety, labelling and import duty rules for clothing
• Late-paying customers: consider credit checks or taking payment up front for new accounts
• Employer's liability insurance if you take on staff

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on the unit or storage space, the breadth of your stock range and your insurance. Check the unit's permitted use, business rates and lease terms before signing.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on your range, location and how many shops and online sellers reorder. Hours are typically at least 30 a week. Late-paying customers can strain cash flow.

Check product safety, labelling and import duty rules for clothing. Consider stock, fire and theft cover and public liability insurance, plus employer's liability if you take on staff. For new trade accounts, consider credit checks or taking payment up front.