Online general store with local delivery

Local households, older residents, busy families, holiday-home owners and small businesses wanting regular supplies.

You mark up wholesale prices on goods and charge a delivery fee or set a minimum order. Weekly or monthly standing orders help make income more predictable.

• Organising stock and orders
• Basic online selling skills
• Customer service
• Driving and route planning

• Packaged food storage and sales may need council registration, check with your local council before you start
• Running from home, a garage or a storage unit may need council approval, check local rules
• Public liability and vehicle insurance covering business use, and goods in transit cover
• Margins can be thin after delivery costs, so set minimum orders and delivery fees carefully
• GST registration is needed once turnover reaches the threshold, check with the ATO or an accountant

Startup costs are typically around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your opening stock, website setup, storage and what vehicle you already have. These are estimates, so price your own stock and delivery setup before committing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many local customers you reach and your order sizes. Margins can be thin after delivery costs, so set minimum orders and delivery fees carefully. Expect at least 15 hours a week.

Check whether selling packaged food needs council registration, and whether running from home, a garage or storage unit needs council approval. Also check public liability and vehicle insurance for business use, goods in transit cover, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold.