Online luggage and bag wholesaler

Independent gift shops, travel shops, department store concessions, online sellers and schools or companies buying branded or bulk bags.

You sell at a trade price above your landed cost (purchase price, shipping, duty and handling), usually with minimum order quantities. Repeat orders from regular shops and online sellers are the main source of income.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Spotting products that sell
• Organised stock and order handling
• Building trade customer relationships

• If importing, check customs duty, import VAT and commodity codes with HMRC before you order
• Check product safety and labelling rules, especially for children's products and anything with chemicals or small parts
• Avoid counterfeit or lookalike branded goods, and get proof that branded stock is genuine
• Stock ties up cash, so start small and avoid ordering too many styles and colours
• Check whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows
• Check insurance for stock, goods in transit and product liability
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows storing stock at home

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how much stock you buy and how many styles you offer. Stock ties up cash, so start small and avoid ordering too many styles and colours.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your trade customers and range, with at least about 10 hours a week. This is revenue, not profit, and stock costs come out of it.

If importing, check customs duty, import VAT and commodity codes with HMRC before ordering. Also check product safety and labelling rules, whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows, and that branded stock is genuine rather than counterfeit.