Neighbourhood gourmet grocery shop

Food-focused locals, people shopping for dinner parties and gifts, and nearby cafes or workplaces ordering platters.

Retail margin on products, with higher margins on cut-to-order cheese and meats, gift hampers and platters. Regular customers and seasonal peaks such as Christmas drive a lot of sales.

• Knowing and enjoying specialty food
• Buying and stock control
• Customer service and recommending products
• Basic bookkeeping

• Food business registration with your local council and food safety rules in your state, including whether you need a food safety supervisor
• Cold chain and storage: cheese and cured meats need proper refrigeration and careful handling
• Stock that spoils or doesn't sell, so start with a tight range and order small
• Lease terms, rent increases and fit-out costs
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus stock and equipment cover
• Labelling rules for packaged goods you make up yourself, such as hampers or repacked items

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, refrigeration and how much opening stock you buy. Starting with a tight range and small orders can help.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on location, range and whether you add a deli counter or hampers. Stock that spoils or doesn't sell can eat into what you keep.

Check food business registration with your local council and your state's food safety rules, including whether you need a food safety supervisor. Also check labelling rules for packaged goods you make up yourself, lease terms and insurance.