Trading card shop with play space

Local collectors, players, parents and teenagers, plus people selling or trading in their collections.

Retail sales of sealed product, singles and accessories, plus event entry fees, buying collections and online sales to widen your reach.

• Strong knowledge of card games and pricing
• Running events and welcoming a community
• Basic retail, stock control and bookkeeping

• Commercial lease terms, so get advice before signing
• Check council approval for the shop use and signage
• Public liability and contents insurance, and workers compensation once you hire staff
• Tight margins on sealed product and slow-moving stock tying up cash
• Working with children may need a check in your state, particularly if you run youth events

Startup costs are typically around $25,000 to $90,000, depending on the lease, fit-out, play tables and opening stock. Sealed product has tight margins and slow-moving stock can tie up cash, so plan your working capital.

Monthly revenue is typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on location, stock mix and how well your events draw regulars. These are revenue estimates, not profit, and running the shop usually takes at least 40 hours a week.

Check commercial lease terms with advice before signing, council approval for the shop use and signage, and public liability and contents insurance. Also check whether working with children needs a check in your state, especially for youth events.