Online maternity clothing shop

Expectant and new mothers, plus friends and family buying gifts.

You sell at a markup on the wholesale price. Extras such as nursing bras, hospital bag items and gift sets can lift the average order.

• Choosing stock that sells
• Online marketing and social media
• Customer service and handling returns
• Basic bookkeeping

• Consumer Contracts Regulations: check the rules on returns, refunds and clear product information for distance sales
• Returns can be high with clothing, so set a clear returns policy and factor the cost into your prices
• Clothing labelling and product safety rules: check what applies to the items you sell, especially anything for babies
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC, and check whether you need to register for VAT as sales grow
• Check you are allowed to run a business from home with your landlord or mortgage lender, especially if you store stock there
• Unsold seasonal or sized stock can tie up your cash, so start small

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on how much stock you buy or whether suppliers post directly. Unsold seasonal or sized stock can tie up cash, so start small.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £300 to £3,000, depending on your range, marketing and returns. Returns can be high with clothing, so set a clear policy and factor the cost into your prices.

Check the Consumer Contracts Regulations on returns, refunds and product information for distance sales, plus clothing labelling and product safety rules, especially for baby items. Register as a sole trader with HMRC and check whether VAT registration applies as sales grow.