Local toiletries and everyday care shop

Local residents, workers nearby, visitors and gift buyers looking for quality or hard-to-find products.

Retail margin on each product sold, plus gift sets and bundles. Repeat customers who come back for refills and restocks matter most.

• Customer service
• Choosing and buying stock
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Lease terms, rent and fit-out costs, ideally reviewed by a solicitor before you sign
• Public liability and contents insurance, plus workers compensation once you hire staff (check your state scheme)
• Some products, such as fluoride toothpaste or sunscreens, may fall under therapeutic goods rules, so check with the TGA and your suppliers
• Check labelling and safety requirements for cosmetics under Australian Consumer Law and with the ACCC
• Thin margins against big chains, so don't compete on price alone
• ABN, GST registration once you hit the turnover threshold, and local council requirements for trading

Startup costs are typically around $20,000 to $60,000, depending on your lease, fit-out and opening stock. These are estimates only, and your own costs will vary with location, shop size and the products you choose to stock.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, product focus and foot traffic. That is revenue rather than profit, and the estimates assume at least around 35 hours a week.

Check lease terms, ideally with a solicitor, and insurance such as public liability. Some products, like fluoride toothpaste or sunscreens, may fall under therapeutic goods rules, so check with the TGA. Also check cosmetics labelling, your ABN, GST and council requirements.