Online workwear and hi-vis supplier

Sell hi-vis, overalls and safety clothing online to small firms and tradespeople, often without holding much stock.

Rows of hi-vis jackets and overalls hanging on racks in a store.
Startup cost£500 to £4k
Monthly revenue£500 to £5k
Time needed8+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • £500-4k
  • Side hustle
  • Online

Estimates for a small start in the UK, not guarantees.

Official data

15,000 UK companies in this field, 42% registered in the last 2 years

SIC 46420 “Wholesale of clothing and footwear”. Source: Companies House, November 2026.

What it is

An online shop selling protective clothing such as hi-vis jackets, overalls, waterproofs and gloves. You can start with a small range of stock or have a wholesaler send orders straight to your customers.

Your first three steps

  1. Open trade accounts with two or three UK workwear wholesalers and compare prices and delivery terms
  2. Choose a narrow starting range, such as hi-vis and overalls for builders, and set up a simple online shop
  3. Contact local firms and trade groups to offer a small-business account with repeat ordering
Who pays

Small builders, landscapers, warehouses, farms and other employers, plus self-employed tradespeople buying for themselves.

How it makes money

You buy at trade prices and sell at a mark-up. Repeat bulk orders from small firms and add-ons such as logo printing or embroidery (through a partner) can lift the order value.

Skills that help
  • Comfortable selling online
  • Knowing which clothing suits which job
  • Good customer service and order handling
Watch out for
  • Protective clothing is often sold as PPE, so check that products carry the correct UK marking and that you only buy from reputable suppliers
  • Check rules on returns and refunds for online sales, and that your product descriptions are accurate
  • Check public liability and product liability insurance with a broker
  • Thin margins on branded items, so check prices before you commit
  • Register for VAT once your turnover goes over the threshold

Deep research report · UK

Everything you need to start: online workwear and hi-vis supplier

Researched with live web search for United Kingdom: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start an online workwear business?

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on whether you hold a small range of stock or have a wholesaler send orders directly. Check public liability and product liability insurance with a broker.

How much can an online workwear supplier earn?

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £5,000, depending on your range and how many customers you win. Margins can be thin on branded items, so check prices before you commit. Estimates suggest at least about 8 hours a week.

What rules should I check before selling protective clothing?

Protective clothing is often sold as PPE, so check that products carry the correct UK marking and that you buy only from reputable suppliers. Also check rules on returns, refunds and accurate product descriptions, and VAT registration once turnover passes the threshold.

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