Local organic food shop

Health-conscious households, families with young children, people with dietary needs and shoppers who prefer local, sustainable food.

You buy wholesale and sell at a markup. Regular weekly shoppers matter most, and you can add extras like refill stations, gift hampers or a small deli counter.

• Customer service
• Stock ordering and managing waste
• Knowing organic products and labels
• Basic bookkeeping

• Register your food business with your local council and check whether you need a food safety supervisor in your state
• Check the Food Standards Code on labelling if you repack or sell loose products
• Check how you can describe products as organic and whether you need certification for repacking or your own branding
• Fresh produce spoils, so over-ordering can eat into margins
• Public liability insurance and stock insurance
• Lease commitments and fit-out costs, so get advice before signing

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and opening stock. Lease commitments and fit-out costs are significant, so get advice before signing.

Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on location, product range and foot traffic. Fresh produce spoils, so over-ordering can eat into your margins.

Check registering your food business with your local council and whether you need a food safety supervisor in your state. Also check Food Standards Code labelling rules, and how you can describe products as organic.