Independent neighbourhood wine shop

Locals buying for dinners and gifts, wine lovers after something different, and nearby cafes, restaurants and small businesses ordering in bulk.

You buy from wineries and distributors and sell at a markup. Extra income comes from gift packs, mixed-dozen deals, and regular orders from local venues.

• Good product knowledge, or a willingness to learn fast
• Friendly customer service
• Stock control and buying
• Basic bookkeeping

• A liquor licence is needed to sell alcohol, and the process, cost and timing differ by state and territory
• Councils and licensing bodies may seek community input or have rules on opening hours and location, so check early
• Responsible service of alcohol training is usually required for staff, so check your state's rules
• Public liability and stock insurance, and workers compensation once you hire
• Cash tied up in stock, and security risks such as theft
• GST registration once turnover reaches the threshold, and a lease before the licence is confirmed is a risk

Estimates suggest typically around $60,000 to $250,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, licence costs and how much stock you buy. Cash tied up in stock is worth planning for.

A liquor licence is needed to sell alcohol, and the process, cost and timing differ by state and territory. Also check community input and opening-hour rules, responsible service of alcohol training, insurance, and GST registration.

Monthly revenue is typically around $30,000 to $120,000, depending on location, range and bulk orders from nearby cafes and restaurants. The estimate assumes at least about 40 hours a week of your time.