Open a local health food shop in Australia

Local shoppers with dietary needs, health-conscious families, fitness fans and older customers who like a shop they know and trust.

Profit on the products you sell, buying wholesale and selling at retail. Extras like refill stations, a small takeaway cabinet or regular customer deals can lift sales.

• Product knowledge and curiosity about nutrition
• Stock control and ordering
• Friendly customer service
• Basic bookkeeping

• Selling packaged food is usually fine, but making or repackaging food may need registration with your local council, so check first
• Food labelling rules apply, particularly if you repack bulk items; check the Food Standards Code
• Be careful with health claims about products, as therapeutic claims on supplements are regulated, so check what you can say
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus insurance for stock
• Lease terms, rent and slow early months, as cash flow can be tight while you build regulars
• Stock with short shelf lives can expire, so order carefully

Estimates are typically around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your lease, shop fit-out and how much opening stock you buy. Rent and slow early months can strain cash flow, so allow some buffer.

Things to check include whether making or repackaging food needs council registration, food labelling rules under the Food Standards Code, and limits on health claims, since therapeutic claims on supplements are regulated. Also check what insurance you need.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $10,000 to $50,000, depending on location, product range and how quickly you build regular customers. Expect to work at least 40 hours a week. Stock with short shelf lives can expire.