Home-Based novelty and gift wholesaler

Independent gift shops, seaside and tourist shops, market stallholders, car boot traders and small online sellers.

You buy at a trade price and sell at a higher wholesale price, often with minimum order sizes. Your profit is the margin on each case or box sold.

• Spotting products that sell
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Basic stock control and record keeping
• Building relationships with trade customers

• Product safety rules: toys and novelty items usually need to meet UK safety marking and labelling rules, so check with Trading Standards
• Counterfeit or unlicensed character goods can lead to seizure and legal trouble, so buy only from suppliers you trust
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council allows storing stock at home
• Unsold seasonal stock can tie up your cash

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much bulk stock you buy, your storage setup and insurance. Starting with a few proven lines can help avoid cash tied up in unsold seasonal stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £800 to £4,000, depending on your product range, how many trade customers you win and the season. Building repeat relationships with shops and traders usually matters.

Check product safety, marking and labelling rules for toys and novelty items with Trading Standards, and avoid counterfeit or unlicensed character goods. Also check public and product liability insurance, and whether you may store stock at home.