Online office supplies wholesaler

Independent stationers, schools, offices, small businesses and other shops that want better prices on bulk packs.

You earn the margin between your bulk buying price and your trade selling price, plus delivery charges on smaller orders. Repeat orders from regular accounts matter most.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Organised stock and order handling
• Basic online selling and customer service

• Thin margins: check that your prices cover delivery, packaging and returns
• Storage space and any permission needed to store stock at home, check with your landlord, lender or council
• Public liability and goods in storage or transit insurance
• VAT registration once your turnover passes the threshold, and how trade pricing and VAT will be shown to customers
• Competition from large national suppliers, so pick a niche or give a faster local service
• Heavy goods like paper reams, plan safe lifting and delivery costs

Startup costs are typically around £2,000 to £12,000, depending on your setup. These are estimates. Your costs will vary with how much stock you buy and whether suppliers send orders direct or you store goods yourself.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £8,000, depending on your range, prices and customer base. These are estimates. Margins can be thin, so check that your prices cover delivery, packaging and returns. Plan for at least 12 hours a week.

Check whether you need permission to store stock at home, with your landlord, lender or council. Check insurance for public liability and goods in storage or transit, and VAT registration once turnover passes the threshold, including how trade pricing and VAT are shown.