Online school and workwear uniform shop

Parents buying school uniform, small employers kitting out staff, and sports clubs ordering team wear.

Mark-up on each item sold. Repeat orders for new starters and busy seasons such as late summer add to sales, and bulk orders from employers or clubs add larger sales.

• Organising stock and orders
• Customer service
• Basic website or online shop setup
• Building relationships with schools and local employers

• Many schools have an approved supplier or a set contract, so check how they choose suppliers before investing in stock
• Online sales are covered by consumer rules on returns and refunds, so check the current requirements for distance selling
• Holding stock ties up cash, and unsold sizes or discontinued styles can be hard to shift
• Register as a sole trader with HMRC, and check whether you need business insurance such as product liability
• If working from home, check your lease or mortgage terms about storing stock and posting parcels

Startup costs are typically around £1,000 to £6,000, depending on how much stock you hold and how your shop is set up. Taking orders and having items supplied direct can help keep early costs lower.

Monthly revenue is typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on the schools, employers and clubs you supply and the range you offer. These are estimates, and holding stock ties up cash, so it affects what you keep.

Check how local schools choose suppliers, as many have an approved supplier or set contract. Also check current consumer rules on returns and refunds for distance selling, registering as a sole trader with HMRC, business insurance such as product liability, and your lease or mortgage terms.