Children's bookshop on your local high street

Parents, grandparents, gift buyers, local schools, childcare centres and libraries.

You buy books from wholesalers or publishers at a trade discount and sell at the recommended price. Extra income comes from gifts, school orders, events and special orders.

• Knowing children's books and age levels
• Stock buying and cash flow management
• Friendly customer service
• Running a shop day to day

• Check lease terms carefully, including rent reviews and exit clauses, and consider getting legal advice
• Public liability and contents insurance
• Stock is a big upfront cost and unsold books tie up cash, so check return terms with suppliers
• Check GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold
• Check your council's rules on signage and shop fit-out
• If you run events or hold school visits, check what working with children checks apply in your state

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and opening stock. Stock is a big upfront cost, so check return terms with suppliers before you order.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on location, range and events. That is revenue, not profit, and running the shop usually takes about 40 hours a week.

Check lease terms carefully, including rent reviews and exit clauses, and consider legal advice. Look at public liability and contents insurance, GST registration once you reach the threshold, council signage and fit-out rules, and working with children checks if you run events or school visits.