Surgical supplies shop near a hospital or university

Students, nurses, doctors, dentists, vets, small clinics and care providers who want items quickly without waiting for delivery.

Retail mark-up on stock, trade accounts for local clinics and care homes, and bundled kits at the start of each academic year.

• Retail and stock control
• Product knowledge and helpful advice
• Building trade relationships

• Medical device rules: check with the MHRA that products are correctly marked and your suppliers can provide documentation
• Rules on selling medicines are separate and strict, so check before stocking anything beyond general supplies
• Lease terms, business rates and shop fit-out costs can be significant
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus stock cover
• Slow trade outside term time, so plan cash flow carefully

Startup costs are typically around £12,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, shop fit-out and opening stock. Lease terms, business rates and fit-out costs can be significant, so these estimates need checking locally.

Check with the MHRA that products are correctly marked and your suppliers can provide documentation. Rules on selling medicines are separate and strict, so check before stocking anything beyond general supplies, and arrange public and product liability cover.

Monthly revenue is typically around £5,000 to £25,000, depending on location, range and footfall. The estimate assumes at least 35 hours a week. Trade can be slow outside term time, so plan your cash flow carefully.