Online snowboard and gear shop

Beginner and keen snowboarders, people planning a holiday or a season abroad, and parents buying for teenagers.

You buy at trade price and sell at retail, earning the margin on each sale. Clothing and accessories usually add to the basket value, and end-of-season sales help clear old stock.

• Knowledge of snowboarding and kit
• Basic website and photography skills
• Customer service and returns handling

• Strong seasonality: sales usually peak before winter, so plan your cash flow for quiet months
• Unsold stock from past seasons can tie up money, so check how much you can afford to carry
• Some brands only supply approved retailers or set minimum order values, so check their terms
• Distance selling rules on returns and refunds, check the current Consumer Contracts Regulations
• Safety markings on items such as helmets, check what is required for sale in the UK
• Public liability and stock insurance, and whether you can store stock at home under your lease or mortgage

Startup costs are typically around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on how much stock you buy and how you build your website. These are estimates, so check supplier minimum order values before you set your budget.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,500 to £7,500, depending on your range, marketing and the time of year. Sales usually peak before winter, so plan your cash flow for the quieter months. Revenue is not the same as profit.

Check distance selling rules on returns and refunds under the Consumer Contracts Regulations, safety markings on items such as helmets, and brand terms for approved retailers. Also check your insurance and whether you can store stock at home under your lease or mortgage.