Rice and grain wholesale warehouse

Restaurants, takeaways, caterers, grocery shops and smaller retailers who want a wider range and the option to pick up same day.

Margin on bulk-bought stock sold in various bag sizes, with extra from a broader product range and larger regular accounts. Figures shown are sales, not profit.

• Buying and negotiating with suppliers
• Stock control and warehouse organisation
• Sales and customer service
• Managing cash flow

• Food business registration with your local council, and zoning rules for the unit, so check before signing a lease
• Importing directly means checking biosecurity and imported food rules with the federal agriculture department
• Pest control, cleanliness and dry storage to avoid spoiled stock
• Forklift or pallet handling may need a licence or training, so check your state's work health and safety rules
• Public liability, product liability, stock and property insurance
• Lease bond, racking, a forklift or pallet stacker and opening stock tie up a lot of cash, so start with a small range and a modest unit

Startup costs are typically around $120,000 to $300,000, depending on your lease bond, racking, pallet equipment and opening stock. These are estimates, so starting with a small range and modest unit can help.

Monthly revenue is typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on your range, customer base and delivery reach. Revenue is not profit, and stock ties up a lot of cash.

Check food business registration with your council and zoning rules before signing a lease. If importing, check biosecurity and imported food rules, and check your state's work health and safety rules for forklift or pallet handling licences.