Online menswear shop

Men shopping for themselves, and partners or relatives buying gifts.

You buy at wholesale prices and sell at a markup. Margin comes from the difference, minus delivery, returns and marketing costs.

• Spotting what a niche customer wants
• Basic product photography and writing
• Organised stock and order handling
• Customer service, including returns

• Distance selling rules mean customers can usually return items within a set period, check the current rules on GOV.UK
• Returns on clothing can eat into profit, so plan for them in your prices
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and keep stock and sales records
• Check whether you need to charge VAT once sales grow
• Check labelling and product safety rules, especially if you import goods

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website or marketplace setup, photography and marketing. Treat this as an estimate and work out your own budget for your chosen niche.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your niche, the range you stock, how many hours you put in and how well you market the shop. Remember returns on clothing can reduce profit, so plan for them in your prices.

Check the current distance selling rules on GOV.UK, as customers can usually return items within a set period. Also check HMRC registration as a sole trader, whether you need to charge VAT as sales grow, and labelling and product safety rules, especially if you import goods.