Aromatherapy shop with a small shopfront

Run a small local shop selling oils and equipment to walk-in customers and nearby therapists.

Shelves of essential oil bottles and carrier oils in a shop.
Startup costA$15k to A$60k
Monthly revenueA$5k to A$25k
Time needed35+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • A$15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.

What it is

A small retail shop selling essential oils, carrier oils, diffusers, burners and blending supplies. Customers can smell products and get friendly advice, and you can add an online shop later.

Your first three steps

  1. Look at rents and foot traffic in a few local shopping strips, or consider a market stall to test demand first
  2. Set up supplier accounts with wholesalers and plan a core range within your budget
  3. Register an ABN, check council and landlord requirements and set up a point-of-sale system
Who pays

Local shoppers looking for wellness and gift items, massage and beauty therapists, and people who make their own skincare or candles.

How it makes money

Retail markup on products, with trade pricing for regular therapists. Workshops on blending can bring in extra customers and sales.

Skills that help
  • Product knowledge and friendly advice
  • Stock buying and inventory control
  • Running a shop and handling payments
Watch out for
  • Lease terms, rent and fit-out costs; get advice before signing
  • Check labelling, storage and dangerous goods rules for essential oils
  • Avoid health claims; check TGA and ACCC rules on what you can say
  • Public liability, product liability and contents insurance
  • Employing staff means workers compensation insurance, check your state scheme

Deep research report · Australia

Everything you need to start: aromatherapy shop with a small shopfront

Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to open an aromatherapy shop?

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on rent, fit-out and how much stock you buy. Get advice on lease terms before you sign.

How much revenue can an aromatherapy shop make?

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your location, range and the mix of walk-in shoppers and therapists. Plan on at least about 35 hours a week.

What rules should I check before opening an aromatherapy shop?

Check labelling, storage and dangerous goods rules for essential oils, and avoid health claims by checking TGA and ACCC rules. Also check lease terms, public and product liability and contents insurance, and workers compensation if you employ staff.

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Photo: kerdkanno on Pixabay

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