How to Start a Shoe Reselling Business in Kenya

1. Decide your starting capital

Most successful resellers in Kenya start with just 5–10 pairs. At wholesale pricing that's roughly KES 10,000 to 25,000. Don't over-buy on day one — you'll learn what your customers actually want in the first two weeks.

2. Pick a tight niche

Resellers who try to sell "everything" sell nothing. Pick one of: women's heels & sandals, men's official shoes, sneakers, or kids' shoes. You can expand once your first niche is moving.

3. Source from a reliable wholesaler

Your wholesaler must have real stock, fast restocks, and countrywide delivery. Tren.dy Houzz offers all three — our wholesale tiers start at 5 pairs and go up to 30% off retail at 25+ pairs.

4. Price for a healthy margin

A simple rule: retail = wholesale × 1.5. That gives you a 33% margin even after delivery costs and the occasional refund. Don't undercut retail too aggressively — you'll train customers to wait for discounts.

5. Sell where buyers already are

You don't need a website on day one. Start with WhatsApp Status, TikTok product videos, Instagram Reels, and Facebook groups (Bei ya Jumla, Kenyan Fashion Resellers, county marketplaces). Post every day for the first month.

6. Handle delivery without losing money

Use riders for Nairobi, Kisumu, Mombasa, Eldoret. Use G4S / Easy Coach / Modern Coast parcel services for upcountry. Always charge the customer the delivery fee separately — never absorb it on small orders.

7. Reinvest profits for 90 days

For the first three months, put every shilling of profit back into more stock. Resist the urge to "withdraw". Resellers who survive past 90 days are the ones who compound.