Online novelty and gag gift shop

Gift buyers, party planners and people shopping for birthdays, Secret Santa and stocking fillers.

You sell items for more than you paid wholesale. Margins come from the mark-up on each item, plus add-ons such as bundles and gift wrapping.

• Spotting fun products that sell
• Basic online shop setup
• Packing and posting orders on time

• Product safety rules: check that toys, electrical items and anything for children meet UK safety marking requirements
• Consumer rights for online sales, including the 14 day cancellation right and clear returns information
• Avoid copying branded characters or licensed designs, as counterfeit or unlicensed goods can lead to legal trouble
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows storing stock at home
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC and keep track of the VAT threshold

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on how much stock you buy and your website setup. These are estimates, and you will need space at home to store stock.

Things to check: UK safety marking requirements for toys, electrical items and children's products; consumer rights including the 14 day cancellation right; avoiding unlicensed branded designs; landlord or mortgage lender rules on storing stock; and the VAT threshold.

Monthly revenue is typically around £200 to £2,500, depending on your products and how many orders you get. These are estimates of revenue, not profit, and the work typically needs at least around 8 hours a week.