Local variety shop
Run a small shop selling low-cost household and everyday items to people in your neighbourhood.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small shopfront stocking a mixed range of affordable items such as cleaning products, kitchenware, stationery, party supplies, toys and basic homewares.
Your first three steps
- Walk a few suburbs or town centres, note which everyday items are missing nearby and check shop rents
- Contact a few wholesalers and compare prices and minimum orders for a starting range of stock
- Register for an ABN, check lease terms and council requirements, and get quotes for insurance
Who pays
Local households, renters, students, parents and anyone after a cheap everyday item without a trip to a big shopping centre.
How it makes money
You buy stock in bulk from wholesalers or importers and sell at a markup, relying on many small sales and regular turnover of popular lines.
Skills that help
- Spotting items locals will buy
- Stock control and ordering
- Friendly customer service
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Public liability and property or stock insurance
- Council approval or zoning for the shop and signage, check with your local council
- Product safety rules for items like toys and electrical goods, check the ACCC guidance
- Lease terms, rent increases and slow-moving stock tying up cash
- GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: local variety shop
Researched with live web search for Australia: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.
- Startup costs with real prices
- Licences, registration and rules
- Pricing: what others charge
- Break-even example
- Finding your first customers
- 30-day launch plan
- Risks and how to reduce them
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to start a variety shop in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on the premises, your fit-out and how much stock you buy. These are estimates only. Slow-moving stock can tie up cash, so buy carefully.
How much revenue can a small variety shop make?
Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your location, range and opening hours. That is revenue before rent and stock costs. Expect to spend at least about 35 hours a week.
What rules should I check before opening a variety shop?
Check council approval or zoning for the shop and signage. Check product safety rules for items like toys and electrical goods using ACCC guidance. Also check your lease terms, insurance, and GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold.
Other ways to run this business
Similar retail ideas
Local handmade gift and craft shop
Open a small shop stocking handmade items from local artisans for gift buyers and shoppers in your town.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Kimono boutique with a small shopfront
Open a small shop where customers can try on, learn about and buy kimono and traditional Japanese clothing.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Second-hand appliance shop with workshop
Run a small shopfront selling tested, refurbished appliances with a workshop out the back.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Bangle and jewellery shop
Open a small shop selling bangles and festive jewellery to wedding and gift shoppers.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Gift wrap and packaging shop
Open a small local shop for wrapping paper, ribbons and gift packaging, with an in-store wrapping service.
- A$15k-60k
- Part-time
- Own premises
Second-hand bookshop with a shopfront
Open a small shop selling pre-owned books, buying stock from locals and building a loyal readership.
- A$15k-60k
- Full-time
- Own premises