Local workwear and safety gear shop
Open a small shop selling boots, hi-vis and safety gear to tradies and local employers.
- A$40k-120k
- Full-time
- Own premises
Estimates for a small start in Australia, not guarantees.
What it is
A small shop stocking work boots, hi-vis shirts, pants, jackets, gloves, glasses and other safety gear. Customers can try things on and get advice on the spot.
Your first three steps
- Visit trade areas and nearby workwear shops to see what sells, what is missing and what prices are charged
- Contact a few wholesalers and brands to compare minimum orders, trade prices and any dealer terms
- Price up a lease near trade suppliers, industrial estates or a busy town centre, and work out your break-even sales
Who pays
Tradies, farmers, factory and warehouse staff, and local businesses kitting out their crews.
How it makes money
You buy from suppliers and sell at a mark-up. Extra income can come from embroidery or logo printing arrangements and regular account customers.
Skills that help
- Customer service and product knowledge
- Stock buying and managing
- Basic bookkeeping
Watch out for
- Shop lease terms and fit-out costs, so have a lawyer check the lease
- Stock tied up in sizes and styles that do not sell
- Check that safety footwear and hi-vis you sell meet the relevant Australian Standards
- Australian Consumer Law rules on refunds and returns
- Public liability and stock/contents insurance
- Whether you need to register for GST, and any council or state requirements for your premises
Deep research report · Australia
Everything you need to start: local workwear and safety gear 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 open a workwear shop in Australia?
Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $120,000, depending on your shop lease, fit-out and how much stock you buy. These are estimates only, and it is worth having a lawyer check the lease terms before you sign.
How much revenue can a workwear and safety gear shop make?
Monthly revenue is typically around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on your location, the range you stock and how many tradies and local employers you attract. Remember that stock tied up in sizes and styles that do not sell can hold you back.
What rules should I check before selling safety gear in Australia?
Check that safety footwear and hi-vis you sell meet the relevant Australian Standards, plus Australian Consumer Law rules on refunds and returns. Also check whether you need to register for GST, any council or state requirements for your premises, and your insurance.
Other ways to run this business
Online workwear store
Sell workwear and safety boots online to tradies and small businesses, run from home or a small storage space.
- A$3k-15k
- Side hustle
- Online
Mobile workwear van for worksites
Take boots, hi-vis and safety gear to building sites, depots and farms in a stocked van.
- A$40k-100k
- Part-time
- Out and about
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