Costume and dress-up shop
Run a small shop selling costumes, wigs and props to families, schools and local theatre groups.
- A$25k-90k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small shopfront stocking costumes, accessories, wigs, makeup and props for parties, school events, book weeks and stage shows. You may also offer a hire counter for bigger or pricier outfits.
Your first three steps
- Visit local costume shops and check prices, then work out which gap you could fill, such as quality hire or kids' ranges
- Get quotes from Australian wholesalers and importers, and price a shop lease in a spot with foot traffic or near schools
- Contact local schools, dance studios and theatre groups to find out what they need and when
Who pays
Parents, party-goers, schools, community theatre groups, dance studios and workplaces planning themed events.
How it makes money
Retail margin on costumes and accessories sold, plus hire fees and bulk orders for schools and theatre groups. Sales peak around Halloween, book week and school concert season.
Skills that help
- Buying and stock control
- Friendly customer service
- Spotting seasonal trends
- Basic sewing or repairs
Watch out for
- Lease terms and the cost of rent through quiet months
- Public liability insurance and stock insurance
- Imported costumes and children's items should meet Australian product safety rules, check with the ACCC
- Copyright and licensing on character costumes, avoid unlicensed copies
- Stock tied up in seasonal items that may not sell
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: costume and dress-up shop
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
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to open a costume shop in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on the shop size, your lease and how much stock you buy. Treat this as an estimate and price your own rent, stock and insurance before committing.
How much can a costume and dress-up shop earn?
Monthly revenue is typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, season and whether you add a hire counter. Rent continues through quiet months, and seasonal stock may not always sell.
What should I check before opening a costume shop?
Check your lease terms and the cost of rent in quiet months. Also check that imported costumes and children's items meet Australian product safety rules with the ACCC, copyright and licensing for character costumes, and public liability and stock insurance.
Other ways to run this business
Home-based costume hire and sales
Hire and sell costumes by appointment from home, building a wardrobe for schools and local theatre groups.
- A$1.5k-8k
- Side hustle
- From home
Online costume and props store
Sell costumes, props and dress-ups online and post them Australia-wide, with bulk deals for schools.
- A$2k-12k
- Side hustle
- Online
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