Step by step
- Choose a nichePick one category such as sarees, kurtis, jewellery, kids wear or home decor that you understand.
- Find suppliersVisit wholesale markets or check trusted online suppliers, compare quality, minimum order and return terms.
- Buy small first stockOrder a small mix of designs and sizes to test what sells before buying more.
- Photograph and describeTake your own daylight photos and write size, fabric, colour and care details.
- Set your pricesAdd purchase price, travel, packing and a buffer for returns, then add your margin.
- Start sellingShare products on WhatsApp Status, Instagram and a shop link, and confirm each order in writing.
- Reorder what sellsTrack which items sell fastest and restock those, clearing slow items with honest offers.
Choose a niche
Trying to sell everything makes it hard for buyers to remember you. Pick one category you understand and enjoy, such as cotton sarees, office kurtis, oxidised jewellery, kids wear, home decor or kitchen items. A clear niche also makes buying stock easier.
Think about who will buy. Office-goers in your city, mothers in your society or brides-to-be all want different products and prices. Choose a niche where you can reach those buyers through people you know and local groups.
Check the season too. Cotton sells better in summer, silk and festive wear before weddings and festivals, and school items before term starts. Planning stock around seasons reduces unsold pieces.
Find reliable suppliers
Many resellers start at wholesale markets in big cities, such as textile and jewellery markets known for bulk buying, or with manufacturers in towns known for a craft. Visiting in person lets you check quality, compare prices and build a relationship.
Online wholesale apps and supplier groups are another option, but be careful. Ask for real photos and videos, start with a small order, check return and exchange terms, and avoid suppliers who demand full advance with no verifiable address or reviews.
- Compare at least three suppliers for price, quality and minimum order quantity.
- Ask whether they allow you to use their photos, or plan to take your own.
- Check whether they give a proper bill or invoice, which helps with records and GST later.
- Note how they handle damaged or defective pieces.
Start with small stock
Your first order should be small enough that you can sell it even if a few designs do not work. For example only, a first stock of ₹5,000 to ₹15,000 is common for clothing or jewellery resale, but the right amount depends on your budget.
Buy a mix of designs, colours and sizes in small quantities. After two or three weeks, see what sold first and what people asked for, and restock those.
Some resellers sell supplier stock without buying it first, sharing photos and ordering only after a customer pays. This lowers risk but makes delivery slower and quality harder to control, so explain timelines clearly.
Before you pay, check the stock carefully for defects, colour differences and correct sizes. Pieces that look different from the photos you show buyers lead to returns and lost trust.
Price for profit
Add every cost: purchase price, travel to the market, packing, delivery you absorb and a small buffer for returns or damaged pieces. Then add your margin.
Example only: you buy a kurti for ₹400, spend ₹30 per piece on travel and ₹20 on packing. Full cost is ₹450. A selling price around ₹650 to ₹750 may work if similar kurtis sell at that range. If you show an MRP and percent off, the MRP must be a genuine price.
Sell from home
Take your own photos in daylight, showing the full product, close-ups and how it looks in use. Write size, fabric, colour and care details. Post on WhatsApp Status daily and on Instagram, and share in groups only where selling is allowed.
Keep all products in one shop link so buyers can browse and order easily. ShopShare lets you show MRP with percent off, mark items as cash on delivery and get orders on WhatsApp with the product named. Your shop also appears on ShopShare Market for buyers near you.
Reply quickly and honestly. If a buyer asks whether a colour matches the photo or whether the fabric is pure cotton, tell the truth. Honest answers prevent returns and bring repeat customers who trust your choices.
Returns, records and registration
Decide your return and exchange policy before you sell and write it in your shop and confirmation messages. For example, exchange within a few days for size issues only, with tags intact.
Keep a record of every purchase and sale. GST rules can apply once turnover crosses a threshold or in special cases like some inter-state or marketplace sales, so check gst.gov.in and talk to a chartered accountant as you grow.