Japanese sweets and snacks shop

Locals who love Japanese food and culture, students, tourists, families and people buying gifts.

Retail margin on each item sold at the counter, with higher-value gift boxes and seasonal lines (such as Lunar New Year, cherry blossom season and Christmas) lifting the average sale.

• Customer service
• Buying and stock control
• Knowledge of Japanese sweets and flavours
• Basic retail display

• Food business registration with your local council, and the rules for the food you plan to sell (packaged versus fresh)
• Imported food must meet Australian biosecurity, labelling and allergen rules, so check with your supplier and the relevant federal department
• Shop lease terms, fit-out costs and how long you could cover rent while you build customers
• Short shelf life on fresh sweets and the risk of unsold stock
• Public liability insurance and stock insurance
• GST registration once your turnover reaches the threshold

Startup costs are estimates, typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on your lease, fit-out, opening stock and insurance. It also pays to check how long you could cover rent while you build up customers.

Monthly revenue is typically around $10,000 to $45,000 as an estimate, depending on location, opening hours, product range and how quickly you build regular customers. This is revenue before rent, stock and wages.

Things to check include food business registration with your local council and the rules for packaged versus fresh food. Imported food must meet Australian biosecurity, labelling and allergen rules, so check with your supplier and the relevant federal department.