Seasonal christmas pop-up shop

Families, gift buyers and people decorating their homes, plus workplaces buying decorations and small gifts.

Retail margin on each item sold. Most sales fall in a few busy weeks, so stock choice, location and pricing matter a lot.

• Buying and choosing stock
• Shop display and merchandising
• Customer service
• Managing cash flow over a short season

• Unsold stock after Christmas, plan how you will discount or store it
• Lease terms, bonds and whether short-term leases are available locally, check with the landlord or agent
• Electrical items such as lights should meet Australian safety requirements, check with your state's electrical safety regulator
• Public liability insurance and stock insurance
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold, check with the ATO
• Casual staff mean wages, super and workers compensation, check your state's rules

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $15,000 to $50,000, depending on the lease, stock, shop fit-out and any casual staff. Treat this as a guide only and check short-term lease terms with the landlord or agent.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, stock choices and how busy the run-up to Christmas is. Plan for unsold stock after the season, including how you will discount or store it.

Check lease terms, bonds and whether short-term leases are available locally. Check that electrical items like lights meet Australian safety requirements with your state regulator. Also check public liability and stock insurance, GST registration, and casual staff wages, super and workers compensation.