Trade flower unit with cash-and-carry counter

Florists, wedding and event designers, funeral directors, garden centres and other trade buyers in your area.

You sell in bunches, boxes or stems at trade prices above your buying cost. A wider range, steady trade accounts and seasonal peaks such as Valentine's Day and Mother's Day lift sales.

• Buying and stock rotation
• Sales and customer service
• Handling and caring for fresh flowers
• Basic bookkeeping and cash flow control

• Rent, business rates and energy costs for cold storage, which can be high; check them before signing a lease
• Check planning use class for the unit and whether trade visitors are allowed
• Wastage on unsold stock, especially outside peak seasons
• Check GOV.UK rules on importing plants and any plant health requirements if selling live plants
• Public liability, stock and contents insurance, plus employer's liability if you hire staff
• VAT registration once turnover passes the threshold

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the unit, cold room, stock and fit-out. Check rent, business rates and energy costs for cold storage before signing a lease, as these can be high.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on your customer base, stock range and the season. Revenue is not profit, and wastage on unsold stock, especially outside peak seasons, can reduce what you keep.

Things to check include the planning use class and whether trade visitors are allowed, GOV.UK rules on importing plants and plant health requirements for live plants, the insurance you need, and VAT registration once turnover passes the threshold.