Online piñata and party shop

Parents planning birthdays, people hosting themed or Latin American style parties, and some small event organisers.

You buy in bulk at trade prices and sell singly at a mark-up, with extra sales from bundles such as a piñata plus filler and decorations.

• Online selling and basic product photography
• Stock and order tracking
• Customer service

• Piñatas are bulky and can be crushed in the post, so check packaging and courier costs before pricing
• Fillers such as sweets need allergen and labelling care, check whether you should sell them or leave filling to customers
• Toy-style items and sticks may need to meet UK product safety rules, ask your supplier for evidence and check with Trading Standards
• Imported goods may involve customs charges and VAT, check current rules with HMRC
• Seasonal demand, so avoid buying too much stock at once

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £3,000, depending on how much stock you buy. These are estimates. Demand is seasonal, so avoid buying too much stock at once.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £2,500, depending on your range and how many orders you send out. These are estimates, with a minimum of around 6 hours a week.

Check packaging and courier costs for bulky items, whether to sell sweet fillers given allergen and labelling care, and whether toy-style items meet UK product safety rules with Trading Standards. For imported goods, check customs charges and VAT with HMRC.