Home-based stationery supplier

Small offices, schools and nurseries, community groups and independent shops that want a friendly local supplier.

You sell at a margin above your bulk buying price, with regular repeat orders and small delivery or minimum order charges.

• Negotiating with suppliers
• Sales and building relationships
• Stock and order tracking

• Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to storing stock at home
• Public liability and stock insurance, and check your home insurance covers business stock
• Cash tied up in stock, so start with a small range
• Schools and councils may use approved supplier lists or frameworks, so check how to get on them
• Large online suppliers can undercut on price, so focus on service and local delivery

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £5,000, depending on how much stock you buy at the start, your storage and delivery set-up and insurance. These are estimates, so start with a small range to limit cash tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £3,500, depending on your customers, order sizes and prices. Large online suppliers can undercut on price, so service and local delivery matter. These figures are estimates, not guarantees.

Check whether your landlord, mortgage lender or council needs to agree to storing stock at home. Also check public liability and stock insurance, and that your home insurance covers business stock. Schools and councils may use approved supplier lists, so check how to get on them.