Well I don't know if there has been failure in this kind of business, but I sea it feasible and lucrative, although I have couple of people into such business here. Building materials or things related to building will always be lucrative as people build everyday no matter how bad the economy might be. All you need is your capital, a large container would be preferable, you might not have to pay house rent but still, you will need to pay for space but it's more secured and a kind of store that can accumulate all you need