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Wholesale Tips and Guides
UK Wholesale Trade Shows & Fairs: 2026–2027 Buyer’s Guide
Last updated: 14 October 2026. Reviewed monthly. Looking for UK wholesale trade shows and fairs to visit in 2026 or 2027? This guide brings together upcoming events for retailers, wholesalers, market traders and online sellers, plus overseas stocklot and sourcing fairs. This guide is independently compiled by Wholesale Clearance UK. Event listings do not imply […]
Which County is the Most Money Conscious?
With the cost of living rising, people are becoming savvier when it comes to saving and spending money. Searches for the ‘best savings account’ are up 17% since last month, showing that people are actively looking for ways to protect their earnings. At Wholesale Clearance UK, we wanted to find out which county is the […]
Online Shopping & Auction Scams By Police Force
With millions of people shopping online, the number of scams occurring is on the rise – meaning consumers have to be more vigilant than ever. At Wholesale Clearance, we gathered data from police forces across the UK to discover which area had the most reports and the highest losses from online shopping and auction scams. […]
Best UK Trade Shows & Fairs To Visit: 2022
Best Trade Shows and Fairs To Visit in the UK: 2022 As a wholesaler, heading to trade shows, fairs, and exhibitions with a trusty banner and setting up a stand can be a tiring, although it is a certainly a highly rewarding and often fruitful experience. Having the opportunity to meet new suppliers, learn about [...]
How to Sell on Amazon UK: Stock, Fees and FBA
Updated September 2026. We replaced the original 2022 screenshots and fee examples because Amazon’s selling plans and requirements change. Selling on Amazon UK can put a product in front of a large marketplace audience, but it does not guarantee a profit. Start by checking whether you may sell the product, what evidence you need for […]
How To Guide: Sell Successfully on eBay
How To: Sell Successfully on eBay & Make a Profit! Updated September 2026: This guide was originally published in 2022. Screenshots are historical; check eBay UK for current fees, features and seller requirements. Are you looking to make money online? If the answer is yes, then you’ve come to the right place. eBay isn’t just [...]
How to Sell on Facebook Marketplace: UK Seller Guide
Updated September 2026. This guide was first published in 2022. Facebook’s menus, eligibility and selling fees can change; check the platform’s current instructions before listing. Facebook Marketplace can help local buyers discover an item, but a listing still needs a clear price, honest condition details and a practical collection or delivery plan. A Facebook Page […]
Best UK Car Boots For Sellers
With the cost of living rising, now is the time to start selling items which don’t ‘spark joy’. A great way to do this is by selling at a car boot, with the benefits of having no delivery costs and a vast range of customers throughout the day. But which county is best for a […]
Four times Del Boy could have been successful on an online marketplace
By Karl Baxter, Director at Wholesale Clearance UK For ten years, viewers watched as Del Boy and Rodney Trotter tried their luck at selling dodgy merchandise under the ruse of ‘Trotters Independent Traders’ – in the hope that one day they would become millionaires. In the last ever episode to air of the comedy duo […]
Supporting the #freebritney movement
As is the nature of our business here at Wholesale Clearance UK, we try and find buyers for any Clearance stock. Today, we have been tasked with finding buyers for what we thought were t-shirts in support of the #freebritney movement but in fact they say ‘#freebrittany’. You can purchase one Here When we first […]
The Best UK Wholesale Trade Shows and Fairs for 2019
As a buyer and seller it is imperative that you understand the trends in your specific market, and take a keen interest in improving your own business knowledge. Some wholesale trade shows and fairs can be a tiring day out, for sure, but where better to take the pulse of your industry? Attending exhibitions, wholesale […]
The Ultimate Selling Guide for Small Businesses
Archive note (2018 guide): Links to articles no longer available on this blog have been removed. Please check current information before relying on older selling advice. We have decided to start the new year by introducing the ultimate selling guide for small businesses. Wholesale Clearance UK is a family firm, and we recognise the complexities, […]
The Rise and Fall of Toys ‘R’ Us
There may be millions of toys all under one roof, but Geoffrey and crew are in trouble. In an attempt to salvage its future, Toys ‘R’ Us has filed for bankruptcy protection in the US and Canada and is currently trying to restructure its debts. With Christmas on the horizon, a US bankruptcy judge has […]
Sunglasses Styles: An Illustrated Guide to Frame Types
From aviators and cat-eye frames to round, shield and Wayfarer styles, this illustrated guide explains the names and shapes of common sunglasses. Use it to describe eyewear more clearly when buying or selling. The examples and photographs are from our archive. To see what is available now, browse our current wholesale sunglasses and eyewear lots; […]
Things you didn’t know it was illegal to sell in the UK
I was casting an eye over things you’re not allowed to sell on eBay the other day and found myself wondering what is forbidden generally. What is it illegal to sell in the UK? On looking up the information, I found there really aren’t that many prohibitions. Sites like Gumtree and eBay have their rules […]
Bestselling Products of All Time: Why Rankings Disagree
Archive note: This article was written in 2017 and includes historic sales and export figures. It does not identify a current global bestseller. What is the bestselling product of all time? There is no single reliable answer without deciding whether “bestselling” means units sold, total revenue, a particular product model or an entire category, and […]
What Sold Best on eBay? 2023 UK Research and Sourcing Tips
What Sold Best on eBay? 2023 UK Research and Sourcing Tips Research note (September 2026): The sales figures below describe eBay activity researched for December 2021 to December 2022 and published in 2023. They are not current sales rankings. Use the historical results for ideas, then check fresh demand, costs and competition before buying stock. [...]
How to Sell on Shpock UK: Fees and Practical Tips
Updated September 2026. This article was first published in 2017. Shpock’s features and fees have changed, so check its current help pages before listing. Shpock is a marketplace app for buying and selling second-hand goods. It can be useful for local collection and for testing demand for individual items. If you are reselling stock, think […]
“Would you like help with your Brazillian?”
Our booklet blunder with 50,000 tragically inaccurate ‘unofficial’ language guides for Rio 2016 Here at Wholesale Clearance a large variety of stock makes its way in and out of our warehouse, and the vast majority of it is quality merchandise. Occasionally though, we stumble across something so disastrously unprofessional that we’re left with little choice […]
What’s the difference between B2B and B2C long distance selling regulations?
What’s the difference between B2B and B2C long distance selling regulations? Are you confused about the difference between B2B and B2C long distance selling regulations? The law treats business-to-business contracts differently than it does business-to-consumer contracts. The Distance Selling Regulations no longer actually apply in UK law. They were replaced by the Consumer Contracts Regulations […]
LinkedIn for SME’s: Useful or not?
It was announced yesterday (13/06.2016) that Microsoft is to purchase LinkedIn, the professional networking website, for $26bn (£18bn), which equates to $196 a share. That’s a lot of money. Apparently the deal will enable Microsoft to boost sales of its business and email software, although to be fair, it doesn’t sound as though they’re failing […]
Worth every penny! 6 products that unexpectedly went viral
It was drawn to my attention this week, that media coverage of certain items can pique interest and ensure that prices rise. You have to be on your toes to catch the wave, blink and you’ve missed it. So I had a look at products that unexpectedly went viral and here’s my top six. The […]
Biggest Product Flops
David vs Goliath, the Rebel Alliance vs the Empire, Leicester FC vs the Premiere League. Nothing is more satisfying than witnessing the underdog trump the frontrunner. In business too, this rule is true. It’s expected of top businesses to employ top people and produce top products that public will need, even if they didn’t know […]
Top 10 most haunted houses in Britain
Here at Wholesale Clearance UK we have a range of ex-rental DVDs for sale such as Hunted starring Tommy Lee Jones and Benicio del Torro, and the creepy Cabin Fever from Eli Roth, which has been described as ‘scary as hell’ and ‘terrifying’ which totally piques my interest of course. The slant on Cabin Fever […]
Twitter for business: Tweet your SME
In the past we’ve looked at using Facebook and eBay for your business. In many ways these are fairly straightforward solutions to your marketing needs. If you haven’t ever considered using Twitter for business, you may find you also get results from this social media outlet. What is Twitter? You must have heard of Twitter, […]
The definitive guide to handbags
Some time ago we brought you our definitive guide to shoes. That was so successful we thought we would share our handbag guide with you. If you’re buying bags wholesale and don’t know where to start with naming them or describing them, our little list should help you out. Well … the pictures will, even […]
Ten Times Big Companies Have Lied To Us
Things move fast in the corporate world. Since we published our VW Emissions Scandal and 11 other times big companies have lied to us article (here) last week, oil giant BP has agreed to pay $20bn (£13.2bn) to settle claims in the USA following the disastrous Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. The spill took […]
VW Emissions Scandal and 11 other times big companies have lied to us
While I was doing the research for this article I found a heading in a story that baldly stated, “All big corporations lie. If they don’t, they’d go out of business.” Poor grammar aside, I find this statement absurdly depressing. I may be on my own, but I think if customers pay you good money […]
5 Funny eBay Listings That Went Viral
Archive note: These viral listing stories and view counts come from an older eBay era. Treat them as entertainment, not a prediction of what a listing will earn today. Have you ever wondered just how to ensure that your eBay auctions attract a great deal of interest? Perhaps you can take a look at these […]
Planning your week? Best days to buy and sell
Another weekend has disappeared in a puff of smoke. I failed miserably to list some things on eBay that I wanted to, although I did go online to buy myself a new raincoat after mine fell apart during a ‘light shower’ (it was practically ripped from my body by the violence of the rain). This […]
Back to the future: Stock that time forgot
When Marty McFly visited us recently, he dropped off a magnificent load of original 1980s stock that time forgot – Ghetto Blasters with detachable speakers. Seriously awesome vintage (see them here) and still in the original boxes! They came from an old warehouse where the distribution had gone bankrupt in 1987. The warehouse was then […]
Emoji PIN for the win!
I nearly had heart failure the other day when the security software I use on my laptop suggested that my password was one that hackers regularly try out when they infiltrate people’s accounts. I changed it immediately of course, and then the next time I logged in had completely forgotten what I had changed it […]
High-Markup Products: Profit Margin vs Markup
Why do some products appear to have very high markups? Our 2015 infographic explored examples such as bottled water and cinema popcorn. The percentages shown are historical estimates, not verified current costs or a ranking of today’s most profitable products. Markup and profit margin are different Markup compares the difference between selling price and purchase […]
A small business you can run from home
Archive note: This article was first published in 2015. Check current costs, platform rules and local requirements before starting a business. There are many reasons why you may be considering taking on or starting a small business you can run from home. After the recent change in the incumbent government, it will come as no […]
Types of Collars: Revere, Gladstone and More
From a revere collar to a Gladstone collar, the names used in clothing listings can be confusing. This illustrated glossary explains common and historic collar styles so buyers and sellers can describe garments more accurately. Quick answers: A revere collar folds back to form an open V at the neckline, often on a blouse or […]
How to make a million on eBay
Before I start, I have to say that if it was that easy to make a million on eBay I would have already done it, right? I haven’t, so maybe it isn’t possible for everyone. However, it certainly has been done in the past and that’s what interests me. Can you make a million on […]
A Big Business: Feeding the Six Nations Armies
We’re big fans of sport here at Wholesale Clearance UK, and while football does tend to be our favourite, most of us are addicted to the Six Nations rugby at this time of year too, and we can’t wait for the Rugby World Cup later this year. Every weekend while the rugby is on I […]
We are the champions, my friends!*
You may recall that back in December we asked you to vote for us in The Wholesale Forums Web Awards 2014, see the original blog post here . Well nominations ended on 7th December and voting continued until 4th January. Now I’ve paid my dues, time after time, I’ve done my sentence but committed no […]
eCommerce and Order Management Systems: Tips of the trade care of Charlie McBroom
I have a friend (believe it or not I do have friends) named Charlie McBroom over at Linnsystems.com and recently when we were chewing the cud he explained to me the perils and pitfalls of Ecommerce as he saw them and we had a really interesting chinwag. Since then he’s put his ideas down in […]
Totes Lush Shoe Guide: The Totally Amazing Style Guide to Womens Shoes
Women’s shoes come in many styles. This illustrated guide helps you recognise kitten heels, spool heels, stilettos and more. The infographic below is a quick visual reference; our A–Z of shoe styles has written descriptions. If you sell footwear, use the correct style name alongside the size, brand and condition. To source stock, browse our […]
Selling Internationally on eBay: Pros, Cons and Checklist
Updated September 2026. This guide was originally published in 2014; eBay’s international shipping options have since changed. Selling internationally on eBay can bring more buyers to your listings, but the extra reach is useful only when the item, delivery method and total cost work for your business. Start with a small number of suitable products […]
The 20 Second Commute: advantages and disadvantages of a home-based business
Thinking of starting a home-based business? Great idea. Here’s why. I have a friend who used to spend two to three hours a day in her car just to get to her place of employment which was only 20 miles away. She would arrive so stressed and so hyper that it was a foregone conclusion […]
An A-Z of shoe styles
Types of shoes, A to Z: Use this illustrated glossary to identify footwear styles when buying or listing stock. The photographs are historical examples and may show lots no longer available. For current stock, browse wholesale shoes, boots and trainers. If you need sizing advice, see our UK shoe size and width guide. A few […]
Build a bonfire, build a bonfire: discounting items for sale on eBay, the how, when and why.
So that might be the longest title I have ever used in this blog but I wanted somehow to get a link in to bonfire night given that it’s November the 5th, however tenuous it might be. But in my mind the link is that instead of burning unwanted stock – let’s sell it for […]
The 5 Principles of Effective Storage for Online Traders
With 60% of UK businesses starting at home , and three quarters of those keeping stock on their own premises , it’s understandable that there might be a few teething problems when it comes to storage. Figuring out what to do with a pallet of flip flops when the garage and basement are both full […]
In for a penny, in for a pound: the rise and rise of the Pound shop
I was having a conversation with a friend of mine the other day who owns a sweet seaside gift shop that sells a wide range of mid-priced gifts. She mentioned that without the cheaper pound shop lines that she offers, she would be in serious trouble some days. She has to work hard to take […]
Smashing ideas: reusing your old (or new) plates
So you’ve bought a Joblot of 50 Royal Princess 2013 Celebration plates in pretty pink from us. What are you going to do with them? You’re probably thinking that there is nothing useful that can be done with a load of plates created on the whim of somebody who was completely misinformed about the sex […]
Top Ten Tips for Would-be Entrepreneurs
1. Do what you love In order to have a successful business you really need to do what you love. If you love what you do you’ll find the energy to get out of bed in the morning and work late at night. You’ll get a lot more personal satisfaction too. Really think about what […]
Here comes the bride: selling for the wedding industry
Archive note (May 2013): The wedding-accessories lot and prices described below are historical and the original advert is no longer available. Browse current one-off job lots for today’s stock. When this was published, we had a mixed wedding-accessories job lot which included 99x Fascinators (that’s the little flowery decoration things that women wear in their […]