Cured ham and smallgoods shop

Local food lovers, home cooks buying for gatherings, gift buyers, and nearby cafes and restaurants.

You buy from producers or wholesalers and sell at a mark-up by weight, whole leg or gift pack. Extras like platters and seasonal hampers can lift the average sale.

• Knowing your products and being able to explain them
• Customer service
• Stock buying and cost control
• Food safety and hygiene habits

• Food business registration with your local council and any state food safety requirements, such as a food safety supervisor or food safety program
• Cold chain and storage rules for cured and sliced meats, check what your state authority requires
• Public liability and product liability insurance
• Shop lease terms, fit-out costs and slow early months
• Imported meat rules and labelling requirements, check with the relevant authorities if you plan to import

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and opening stock. Lease terms, fit-out costs and slow early months are worth planning for before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your location, range and whether you supply nearby cafes and restaurants. That is revenue, not profit, and the shop usually needs about 40 hours a week.

Check food business registration with your local council and any state food safety requirements, such as a food safety supervisor or food safety program. Also check cold chain and storage rules for cured and sliced meats, insurance, and imported meat and labelling rules if relevant.