Retail business ideas you can start for under $5,000

80 ideas

Retail is one of the most accessible ways to start a business in Australia, and a budget of up to $5,000 is enough for plenty of options. This page lists 80 ideas, from an online phone accessory store to a second-hand CD market stall or restored pine furniture from home.

Swipe through these ideas →

Online bangle store

Sell bangle sets and matching jewellery online for weddings, festivals and gifts.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Online

Online antique and collectables seller

Buy antiques at auctions and house clearances, then resell them online and at local markets.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Online

Online second-hand clothes store

Source, photograph and sell pre-owned clothes online from home, one listing at a time.

• A$300-3k
• Side hustle
• Online

Online phone accessory store

Sell phone cases, chargers and screen protectors online from home, posting orders to customers across Australia.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Online

Home clothing alterations and repairs

Hem, taper and mend clothes for locals from a sewing space at home, by appointment.

• A$800-4k
• Side hustle
• From home

Online record seller with market stalls

Buy, grade and sell second-hand vinyl online and at weekend markets, with no shop rent.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• From home

Baby clothes market stall and pop-up

Sell baby and toddler clothes at weekend markets and pop-ups, with no shop lease.

• A$1.5k-5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Seasonal decorations and gifts market stall

Sell Christmas, Easter and festive decorations, cards and gifts at local markets and short-term pop-ups.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Online fashion jewellery store

Sell affordable earrings, necklaces and accessories through your own website and social media.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Online

Fashion jewellery market stall

Sell affordable jewellery and accessories from a stall at weekend markets and fairs.

• A$800-3.5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Online second-hand instrument seller

Buy used guitars, keyboards and gear locally, check and clean them, then resell online.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Online

Online stamp and philatelic dealer

Sell collectable stamps, albums and supplies to hobbyists through online marketplaces and your own site.

• A$500-5k
• Side hustle
• From home

Online bead and jewellery supplies shop

Sell beads, findings and jewellery-making kits to crafters Australia-wide from a spare room.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Online

Online dried flower studio

Make dried flower bouquets and arrangements at home and sell them online to gift buyers and home decorators.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• From home

Dried flower market stall

Sell dried bouquets and gift bunches at weekend markets, fairs and pop-ups.

• A$800-3.5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Online fashion accessories store

Sell bags, jewellery and belts through your own website and social media, with stock shipped from home.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Online

Online wedding favours shop

Sell personalised wedding favours and keepsakes to engaged couples through your own website or online marketplace store.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Online

Home-based custom favour maker

Make and personalise wedding favours at home, selling through your website, markets and local wedding suppliers.

• A$800-4k
• Side hustle
• From home

Online piñata and party decoration shop

Sell piñatas, fillers and party decorations online to families and event planners, posting orders from home.

• A$500-4k
• Side hustle
• Online

Online vintage clothing store

Source, photograph and sell curated vintage clothing and accessories from home through your own site or marketplaces.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Online

Vintage clothing market stall

Sell curated vintage pieces from a rack at weekend markets and pop-ups, with no shop lease needed.

• A$1k-4k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Feng shui market stall

Sell feng shui gifts and décor at weekend markets and wellness fairs near you.

• A$1.5k-5k
• Side hustle
• Out and about

Online collectible figurine store

Sell anime, game and pop culture figurines to Aussie collectors through your own website and marketplaces.

• A$1k-5k
• Side hustle
• Online

Online paintings and prints shop

Sell original paintings and prints from local artists through your own website and social media.

• A$500-3k
• Side hustle
• Online

About these ideas

They suit people who like sourcing products, talking to customers and testing demand before committing too much. Start by deciding whether you want to sell online or face to face, as that shapes your costs, your hours and where you will store stock. Then work out where your stock will come from, what margin you need after fees and freight, and how much you can realistically spend on a first round of inventory. Compare a few ideas before you pick one.

More ideas

• Backyard bonsai grower selling online and at markets
• Home-based online flower delivery
• Home-based florist with local delivery
• Online belt store
• Belt stall at local markets
• Online secondhand bookseller
• Online batik clothing store
• Online collectables store
• Collectables market stall
• Restored typewriters and ribbons online
• Record stall at markets and fairs
• Handmade goods: online shop and markets
• Uniform and workwear supplier for local businesses
• Refurbished appliance reseller (online)
• Pre-loved and vintage clothing stall
• Online second-hand book seller
• Second-hand book market stall
• Home-based gift basket business
• Weekend bargain stall at local markets
• Local personal grocery shopper
• Community grocery run for offices and groups
• Online second-hand furniture seller
• Monthly flea market in a hired hall or oval
• Pop-up flea market at a brewery, cafe or shopping centre
• Letterbox supply and install service
• Online trading card store
• Online health and beauty shop
• Online artificial plant and flower shop
• Online software and licence reseller
• Online surplus and outdoor gear store
• Online water filter and cartridge shop
• Online shop fittings reseller
• Online sports card seller
• Online poster and wall print shop
• Poster stall at markets and events
• Second-hand bike reseller from home
• Online retro and used game seller
• Online consignment seller from home
• Restored pine furniture from home
• Online embroidery supplies and kits
• Doll and collectibles market stall
• Online bar stool supplier for cafes and bars
• Online candle shop from home
• Candle stall at local markets
• Online second-hand reselling from home
• Second-hand market stall
• Online crockery and tableware store
• Magic stall at markets and events
• Online refurbished computer seller
• Online second-hand CD store
• Second-hand CD market stall
• Online and market discount goods seller
• Clothing stall at markets and pop-ups
• Online second-hand games seller
• Online shop fittings and equipment reseller
• Online second-hand office furniture reseller

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