Trade wine storage for merchants and restaurants

Small wine merchants, restaurants and bars, online wine sellers, and small producers who need stock close to customers.

Monthly storage fees per pallet or carton, plus handling charges for receiving, picking and dispatching orders.

• Stock control and inventory systems
• Safe handling of heavy goods, including a forklift or pallet jack
• Business-to-business sales
• Reliable and good with paperwork

• Check with your local council about zoning and any approvals for a warehouse storing alcohol
• Check with your state liquor licensing body whether any licence is needed, especially if you dispatch orders on behalf of sellers
• If you plan to hold wine before duty or tax is paid, check the Australian Taxation Office and Australian Border Force rules on bonded storage, which are specific
• Public liability, goods in storage and business interruption insurance, and workers compensation once you hire
• Safe manual handling and forklift licence requirements under your state's work health and safety rules
• Reliance on a few trade customers: losing one could hit income

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $200,000, depending on the warehouse, the size of the temperature-controlled room and the handling equipment you need. Get quotes for your own plans before committing.

Check zoning and approvals with your local council, and ask your state liquor licensing body whether a licence is needed, especially if you dispatch orders for sellers. If holding wine before duty or tax is paid, check Australian Taxation Office and Australian Border Force bonded storage rules.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on how much pallet space you fill and what you charge. Running it is estimated to take at least about 20 hours a week.