Stationery wholesale unit with delivery

Schools, offices, councils and care homes, plus independent shops and newsagents buying to resell.

Margin on goods bought in bulk, helped by volume discounts, regular account customers and delivery on a set route.

• Buying and stock control
• Selling to organisations
• Basic bookkeeping and credit control

• Commercial lease terms, business rates and any planning or use class rules for the unit, so check with the council
• Startup costs depend heavily on opening stock, unit deposit and whether you lease or buy a van, so get quotes before committing
• Public liability, goods in transit, van and stock insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire
• Customers paying on 30 day terms can strain cash flow, so consider credit checks
• Check whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows
• Competition from large national suppliers, so decide how you will stand out

Startup costs are typically around £30,000 to £90,000, depending on opening stock, the unit deposit and whether you lease or buy a van. Get quotes before committing to any of these.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £20,000, depending on your range, number of regular accounts and delivery area. That is revenue, not profit, so work out your stock, van and unit costs before judging.

Check commercial lease terms, business rates and any planning or use class rules with the council. Also check insurance such as public liability, goods in transit, van and stock cover, and whether you need to register for VAT as turnover grows.