Start a sports card shop

Local collectors, parents buying for kids, gift shoppers, and people selling old collections.

Retail margin on cards and supplies, plus buying collections below resale value. Events, grading submission services and online sales can add to shop income.

• Strong card and market knowledge
• Retail and customer service
• Stock control and cash flow management
• Running events and building a community

• Lease commitments and rent: check terms carefully before signing, ideally with a lawyer
• Public liability and contents or stock insurance
• Check whether your state has second-hand dealer rules that apply when buying cards from the public
• Council approval for the shop use and signage
• Value swings in card prices that can leave you holding stock worth less than you paid
• Authenticity and theft risks with high-value items

Estimated startup costs are typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and how much stock you buy. Lease terms and the value of the stock you hold will shape where you land in that range.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $40,000, depending on location, stock and how much you sell online. That is revenue, not profit, so rent and the cost of stock come out of it.

Check your lease terms, ideally with a lawyer, plus public liability and stock insurance, council approval for the shop use and signage, and whether your state has second-hand dealer rules that apply when buying cards from the public.