Online miniatures and dolls' house shop

Hobbyists, collectors, wargamers, dolls' house builders and people buying gifts for them.

You buy at trade prices and sell at a mark-up, with extra income from bundles, starter sets and carefully chosen niche ranges.

• Knowledge of the hobby and what collectors want
• Good product photos and listings
• Stock and order organisation

• Toy safety rules: check what applies to items sold as toys and what labelling or warnings are needed, especially for small parts
• Licensed or branded figures: check supplier terms so you do not sell counterfeit or unlicensed goods
• Consumer rules for distance selling, including returns and refunds
• Postage costs and breakages on fragile items, and whether your insurance covers stock
• Running a business from home may need permission from a landlord or mortgage lender

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on how much stock you buy, whether you use dropship suppliers and how you build your website. These are estimates, so a focused starting range can help keep early spending down.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your range, pricing and how well you reach hobbyists. This is an estimate of sales rather than profit, and the lower end assumes about 8 hours of work a week.

Check which toy safety rules apply to items sold as toys, including labelling and small-part warnings. Also check supplier terms to avoid unlicensed goods, the consumer rules on returns and refunds, and whether your insurance covers stock.