Dreaming of extra income but don’t want the stress of a second job? A side hustle could be your answer, and few ideas are as fun (or as profitable) as selling sweets.
With low start-up costs and endless demand, you can buy your favourite treats in bulk and resell them online, at local markets, or even through subscription boxes, without needing to invest large amounts of startup capital.
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to turn bulk buying sweets into a side hustle that sells, covering niches to explore, how to find a reliable wholesaler, and the best ways to market and grow your new sweet venture.
Why make bulk sweets your side hustle?
Selling sweets online is a fantastic way to hone your business skills and enter into an industry that always attracts plenty of customers. According to Statista, the UK confectionery market is expected to achieve a CAGR of 5.60% between 2025 and 2030.
Sure, there’s a lot of competition - but with the right attitude and a strong business plan, you can look forward to the following benefits from a confectionery side hustle:
- Low Start-Ups: When you purchase bulk confectionery, you can sell it at retail prices, ensuring healthy profit margins.
- Popularity: Sweets are a go-to gift, and you can guarantee year-round popularity. Plus, peak seasons like Halloween, Easter, and Christmas can result in high sales.
- Versatility: While many people decide to sell online, you can explore different opportunities, including at local markets or offering subscription boxes.
- Creative Opportunities: There’s also the opportunity to niche down or create fun gifts that will set you apart from other businesses.
Choosing a confectionery niche
When setting up a business, nailing down a niche is everything. It ensures you find the right customers and develop a consistent marketing strategy. So, before loading up on cheap wholesale sweets, it’s essential to focus on the types of confectionery you’ll sell.
Popular niches include:
- Pick ‘n’ Mix Bags: Everyone loves a bag of pick and mix. With popular sweets including chocolates, gummy sweets, and foam sweets, you can let your customers create their own mixes.
- Retro Classics: Retro sweets might be old, but people can’t get enough of these classics. From traditional boiled sweets to our vintage collections, customers always enjoy some nostalgia.
- Luxury & Artisan Sweets: Some sweet stores specialise in luxury sweets, including fudge and chocolate-covered fruit and nuts.
- Event & Party Favours: Weddings, birthdays, and corporate events are perfect opportunities for confectionery stores. You can offer hampers or personalised sweet cones for your customers.
Finding a confectionery wholesaler
The supplier you choose will define the success of your business. For example, quality is everything, and it’s essential to do your research and choose a reputable wholesaler.
Finding the right balance between pricing and quality ensures you can keep your customers happy and save money.
Appleton’s is one of the UK’s longest-running confectionery wholesalers, with thousands of happy customers.
We also offer convenient delivery options with no minimum order amount so that you can shop on your terms.
Marketing your side hustle
No side hustle can be successful without a loyal customer base. How do you develop a customer base? By establishing a brand and marketing it.
People want to know what makes your confectionery business unique: creating a logo, tagline, and website.
Packaging is also an important consideration, with many customers preferring paper sweet bags as they’re more environmentally friendly.
Choosing the right sales channels
You’ll also need to consider which sales channels to choose, with popular options being:
- Online Marketplaces: Amazon, eBay and Etsy are popular options for new businesses.
- Your Website: Setting up your own website gives you more control over your sales and branding, but it can take longer to grow an online presence.
- Social Media: Many confectionery store side hustles find success on social media platforms.
- Local Markets: Selling at local markets, school fetes and pop-up events can help you make some sales.
Scaling your side hustle into a successful business
Once you attract regular customers and generate a consistent income, you can decide whether to scale your confectionery side hustle into a successful full-time business.
By broadening your customer base and offering unique gifts, you can connect with more buyers and enjoy the convenience of owning a business.
However, having realistic expectations is important as growing a business takes a lot of time and effort.
Top mistakes to avoid
Confectionery side hustles are often successful, but if you’re new to business, it’s common to make some mistakes. Knowing which mistakes are most common can help you avoid them:
- Not Following Regulations: Confectionery is a type of food, and you’ll need to register the business. Your preparation area should meet hygiene standards, and it’s essential to provide clear allergen labels.
- Over-Ordering: Sweets have an expiry date, so start with a small order and scale up. Once you begin to attract new customers, you can place larger orders.
- Forgetting Business Costs: Aside from the costs of your confectionery, you’ll also need to calculate a budget for packaging, marketing, and paying commission on third-party selling platforms.
- Underpricing: It’s tempting to offer low prices to attract customers, but you should develop a sustainable pricing strategy that combines value for money with profitability.
The bottom line
Developing a confectionery side hustle can be an excellent way to make a profit and enjoy building a successful business.
Whether you want to start slow and enjoy making some extra income or have plans for a thriving sweet business, it all begins with finding the right confectionery supplier.
When you shop with Appleton’s, you can enjoy fantastic savings and access to the best confectionery. We offer a variety of sweets, including vegan and sugar-free options, ensuring that each customer can build a successful business.
Plus, you won’t have to worry about minimum order amounts. Please get in touch with our experts today if you have any questions.