Online european food store
Sell European packaged foods and gifts online and post them to customers across Australia.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
- Licence or permit needed
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
An online shop selling shelf-stable European groceries such as sweets, biscuits, sauces, tea and gift boxes, packed at home or in a small storage space and posted to customers.
Your first three steps
- Choose a narrow range, such as one country's sweets and pantry items, and compare importer and wholesaler prices
- Set up a simple online store and work out postage costs for different parcel sizes
- Start with a small stock order and promote it in community groups and expat social media pages
Who pays
European expats and families wanting familiar brands, plus gift buyers and people living far from a specialty shop.
How it makes money
Mark-up on products plus postage, with higher-value sales from gift boxes, bundles and seasonal items such as Christmas or Easter treats.
Skills that help
- Setting up an online shop
- Social media or email marketing
- Packing and organising orders
Watch out for
- Food business registration with your local council, even for packaged food, so check what applies in your area
- Home-based business rules and storage requirements, so check with your council
- Imported food labelling and allergen rules
- Avoid fresh or chilled products at first, which add food safety and delivery risks
- Product liability insurance, and postage costs eating into margins
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: online European food store
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 start an online European food store?
Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy and how you set up your shop and storage. Postage costs can eat into margins, so price them carefully.
How much can an online European food store earn?
Estimates suggest monthly revenue typically around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your range, pricing and how many customers you reach. The estimates start from about 10 hours a week.
What rules should I check before selling European food online?
Check food business registration with your local council, even for packaged food, plus home-based business and storage rules. Also check imported food labelling and allergen rules, and product liability insurance. Fresh or chilled products add food safety and delivery risks.
Other ways to run this business
European grocery shop
Run a small shop selling European pantry staples, drinks and specialty foods to local communities and food lovers.
- A$30k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
European foods market stall
Sell European groceries and treats from a stall at weekend markets and community events.
- A$3k-12k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Similar food ideas
Online Italian pantry and hampers
Sell Italian pantry staples and gift hampers through your own website, packed and posted from a spare room or small storage space.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Dessert stall for markets and events
Sell desserts at weekend markets and book catering for parties, weddings and corporate events.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Local bottled water delivery round
Buy bottled mineral water in bulk and deliver it to cafés, offices and small venues in your area.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Out and about
Online rice and grain supplier
Sell specialty rice and grains online and deliver to households and local restaurants, without a shopfront.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Small-batch food brand from a shared kitchen
Rent hours in a commercial kitchen to make a packaged food range for cafes, delis and retailers.
- A$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Fresh tortilla maker for cafés
Make fresh corn or flour tortillas in a licensed kitchen and deliver them to local cafés, restaurants and food trucks.
- A$3k-15k
- Part-time
- Own premises