Neighbourhood greengrocer shop

Local households, home cooks, and nearby cafes or small eateries that want a convenient supplier.

You buy produce at wholesale prices and sell it at a mark-up per kilo or item. Boxes, specials and small add-on products help lift the average sale.

• Judging produce quality and freshness
• Buying and managing stock to limit waste
• Friendly customer service
• Early starts and physical work

• Food business registration with your local council and any food safety supervisor or training requirements in your state
• Public liability and stock insurance, and check cover for fridge breakdowns
• Wastage of fresh stock, which can eat into margins quickly
• Scales used for trade generally need to meet national measurement rules, check with the relevant authority
• Long, early hours at the start, and lease terms to review before you sign

Estimates suggest startup costs typically sit around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the shop fit-out, lease and opening stock. Review lease terms carefully before you sign, and budget for insurance and stock cover as well.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on location, opening hours and how much stock you sell. Wastage of fresh produce can eat into margins quickly, so revenue is not the same as profit.

Check food business registration with your local council and any food safety supervisor or training requirements in your state. Also check public liability and stock insurance, and whether trade scales need to meet national measurement rules.