Spice wholesaler: home-based start-up

Independent restaurants and takeaways, ethnic grocers, delis, caterers and small food producers such as sauce makers and bakers.

You earn the margin between your bulk buying price and your price per kilo or catering pack. Regular repeat orders from a handful of businesses can build steady income.

• Knowing spices and their quality
• Negotiating with suppliers
• Organised stock and order handling
• Reliable customer service

• Food business registration with your local council, usually needed before you start trading, so check how early to apply
• Food labelling, allergen and traceability rules for repacked products, check with Trading Standards or your local environmental health team
• Whether you can run food storage from home, check with your landlord, mortgage lender and council
• Product liability and public liability insurance
• Storage conditions, as damp, pests and strong smells can ruin stock
• Larger wholesalers can undercut on price, so focus on service and smaller order sizes

Startup costs are typically around £1,500 to £8,000, depending on how much stock you buy, what packaging and storage you need and how you deliver. Treat this as an estimate and price up your own supplies before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on your customers, order sizes and prices. That is revenue rather than profit, so allow for stock, packaging, fuel and insurance. Treat it as an estimate only.

Check food business registration with your local council, as it is usually needed before you trade. Also check labelling, allergen and traceability rules with Trading Standards or environmental health, and whether your landlord, lender and council allow food storage at home.