Online wicker and basket shop

Households, gift shoppers and people updating a room who want natural, woven storage and decor.

You sell at a mark-up on the wholesale price. Bundles, gift sets and seasonal ranges can lift the average order value, though delivery costs eat into margins on bulky items.

• Product photography and descriptions
• Sourcing from suppliers
• Order handling and customer service

• Distance selling rules: check what you must tell customers about returns and cancellations
• Damage in transit, as wicker can crush or snap, so check packaging and courier insurance
• If importing yourself, check duties, VAT and product safety rules, or buy from UK-based suppliers first
• Where you will store stock, since wicker items are bulky
• Check your landlord or mortgage lender is happy if you store stock at home

Startup costs are typically around £500 to £4,000, depending on your website, opening stock, photography and whether suppliers ship directly. Also think about where you will store bulky stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £300 to £3,000, depending on your range, marketing and order volumes. Wicker items are bulky, so shipping and storage costs can affect what you keep.

Check what you must tell customers about returns and cancellations under distance selling rules. Also check packaging and courier insurance, as wicker can crush or snap, and duties, VAT and product safety rules if you import yourself.