Local general store

Local residents, passing traffic, tradies, tourists and people who want a quick top-up shop close to home.

You buy stock from wholesalers and suppliers and sell at a mark-up. Extras such as hot drinks, ice, gas bottles or a parcel drop-off point can add steady sales.

• Customer service
• Stock ordering and pricing
• Basic bookkeeping
• Managing rosters and long opening hours

• Selling food usually means registering with your local council and meeting food safety rules, so check what applies to you
• Tobacco, alcohol, lottery and similar products often need separate state or territory licences, check with your state's licensing body
• Lease terms, rent reviews and shop zoning, ask a solicitor to review before signing
• If buying an existing store, check the real sales and profit figures with an accountant first
• Supermarkets can undercut prices, so think about what will make people choose you
• Public liability, stock and theft insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire
• Award wages and penalty rates apply to retail staff, and long hours are common in the early years

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on whether you lease a new shop or buy an existing store, plus fit-out and opening stock. These are estimates, so check real figures for any store you consider buying with an accountant.

Monthly revenue is typically around $20,000 to $80,000, depending on your location, range, opening hours and passing trade. That is revenue, not profit, and supermarket pricing can put pressure on margins. Plan on at least 40 hours a week, often more.

Check council registration and food safety rules if you sell food, and separate state or territory licences for tobacco, alcohol or lottery products. Also check lease terms and zoning with a solicitor, insurance, and award wages and penalty rates for retail staff.