Online lighting supply store for trade buyers

Sell bulbs and lamps online to contractors and small businesses, with bulk pricing and fast reorders.

Boxes of LED light bulbs stacked on warehouse shelves.

Startup cost$500 to $3k

Monthly revenue$500 to $2.5k

Time needed8+ h/week

First incomeMonths

$500-3k
Side hustle
Online

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

13,379 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.6% in a year

NAICS 423610 “Electrical apparatus and equipment, wiring supplies, and related equipment merchant wholesalers”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

A small online store aimed at business buyers who need bulbs and lamps in quantity. You can ship from a small home stock or work with suppliers who ship directly to your customers, and you focus on a niche such as LED retrofits for restaurants, rental units or offices.

Your first three steps

Pick a niche, such as rental property refit packs or restaurant lighting, and shortlist suppliers that offer wholesale pricing or direct shipping
Set up a simple online store and list a small range of products with clear specs, base types and bulk prices
Contact local property managers and contractors with an offer for a first bulk order and a repeat order discount

Who pays

Small contractors, electricians, property managers, restaurants, offices and retail shops that want easy reordering.

How it makes money

Markup on each product, with case or bulk pricing to raise order size. Repeat business accounts and bundles, such as a full unit refit pack, build steady monthly sales.

Skills that help

Basic online store setup
Product knowledge and clear listings
Customer service by email or phone
Local or niche marketing

Watch out for

Check your state's sales tax registration and resale certificate rules, including rules for selling to customers in other states
Check supplier terms on dropshipping, returns and minimum advertised prices before you list products
Product liability and general liability insurance, especially for electrical products
Only sell products with recognized safety listings such as UL or ETL, and check state efficiency rules for bulbs
Shipping glass bulbs can lead to breakage, so plan packaging and returns costs
Check home occupation and HOA or lease rules if you store stock at home

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: online lighting supply store for trade buyers

Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

Startup costs with real prices
Licences, registration and rules
Pricing: what others charge
Break-even example
Finding your first customers
30-day launch plan
Risks and how to reduce them

Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to start an online lighting supply store?

Startup costs are typically around $500 to $3,000, depending on whether you hold a small home stock or use suppliers who ship directly. These are estimates, so confirm supplier terms and store costs first.

How much can an online lighting store for trade buyers make?

Monthly revenue is typically around $500 to $2,500, depending on your niche, product range and how many repeat business buyers you win. Starting with a focused niche can make reordering easier for customers.

What should I check before selling lighting products online?

Check your state's sales tax registration and resale certificate rules, including selling to other states. Also check supplier terms on dropshipping and returns, get product liability insurance, and only sell products with recognized safety listings such as UL or ETL.