Start a neighbourhood korean grocery shop

Korean families and students, home cooks curious about Korean food, and small restaurants and cafes needing regular supplies.

You buy from importers and wholesalers and sell at a markup. Regular household shoppers, restaurant orders and higher-margin own-brand or imported specialty items all add to sales.

• Choosing products customers want
• Stock control and ordering
• Customer service
• Knowledge of Korean food (or a partner who has it)

• Retail food premises usually need a permit or inspection from your local public health unit, so check before signing a lease
• Check municipal zoning and business licence rules for the unit you want
• Labelling rules for packaged food, including bilingual labelling, can apply to what you sell. Check with the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) and your suppliers
• If you import directly instead of buying from Canadian distributors, check whether you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence
• Commercial general liability and property insurance, and spoilage risk if a fridge or freezer fails
• Thin margins and a large upfront stock cost, so keep cash back for the first few months
• Check GST/HST registration and, in Quebec, French-language signage and labelling rules

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on the size of the unit, fit-out, refrigeration and opening stock. Stock is a large upfront cost, so keep some cash back for the first few months.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $15,000 to $60,000, depending on location, product range and customer base. That is revenue, not profit. Margins can be thin, and rent, stock and spoilage all take a share.

Check for a permit or inspection from your local public health unit, municipal zoning and business licence rules, and CFIA labelling rules including bilingual labels. If you import directly, check for a Safe Food for Canadians licence, GST/HST registration and Quebec French-language rules.