Customers include people buying items to accessorise an outfit for everyday use or special events, or looking for gifts for birthdays, Christmas, Valentine’s Day and Mother’s Day.

As well as trading from traditional retail premises, fashion accessories retailers increasingly trade online and some supply by mail order. Many also sell from local market stalls and at vintage fairs, as well as via online marketplaces such as ASOS Marketplace, eBay and Amazon.

This profile provides information about starting up and trading as a fashion accessories retailer. It describes the skills required, the training available, the current market trends and some of the key trading issues. It also explains the legislation that must be complied with and provides sources of further information and support.