Asian homeware and gift shop

Local shoppers looking for homeware and gifts, tourists after souvenirs, and people from Asian communities wanting familiar products.

You sell stock at a markup over what you paid, with extra sales from gift sets, seasonal events like Lunar New Year, and repeat customers.

• Choosing products that sell
• Customer service
• Stock control and ordering
• Basic bookkeeping

• Lease terms, rent reviews and fit-out costs before you sign anything
• Imported goods may face biosecurity rules, especially wood, plant material and food, so check with the Australian Government biosecurity department
• Packaged food must meet Australian labelling rules, and local councils may have food registration requirements, so check both
• Product safety and consumer law (for example, children's items and electrical goods), check with the ACCC
• Avoid fake or unlicensed branded and character goods
• Public liability and contents insurance, and GST registration once you reach the threshold

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your premises, fit-out and how much imported stock you buy. Check lease terms, rent reviews and fit-out costs carefully before you sign anything.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on your location, product range and customer mix. That is revenue, not profit, so stock, rent and wages come out of it. Expect around 35 hours a week or more.

Check biosecurity rules for imported goods, especially wood, plant material and food, with the Australian Government biosecurity department. Check food labelling and council food registration for packaged food, product safety with the ACCC, and avoid fake or unlicensed branded goods.