African goods shop for your local community

African communities nearby, other migrant communities, students and shoppers looking for specific products.

Retail mark-up on products sold in store, often with extra income from catering orders, money transfer partnerships or bulk sales to community events.

• Stock buying and managing suppliers
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping and GST
• Knowing your community's needs

• Selling food needs registration with your local council and food safety rules, check what applies in your state
• Lease terms and commercial rent are major ongoing costs
• Public liability and contents insurance, plus workers compensation if you hire staff
• Chilled and frozen stock needs reliable refrigeration and temperature checks
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold
• Slow early months while the community learns about you

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, refrigeration and opening stock. Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, range and how quickly customers find you.

Things to check include registration with your local council and the food safety rules in your state, lease terms, public liability and contents insurance, workers compensation if you hire staff, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold.

As an estimate, expect at least around 40 hours a week, depending on opening hours and staffing. Early months can be slow while the community learns about you, and chilled and frozen stock needs reliable refrigeration and temperature checks.