Retail business ideas with your own premises

411 ideas

These 414 retail ideas all centre on having your own shop, unit or showroom, rather than selling only online or from a market stall. They suit people who like face-to-face customer service, enjoy building a local following and are comfortable with the fixed commitment that premises bring.

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Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOnline
Installer fitting a frameless glass shower door in a bathroom.

Shower door showroom and fitting service

Run a small showroom selling shower doors and enclosures, with a fitting team for homeowners and builders.

  • £10k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
7,568 UK companies in this field, 19% registered in the last 2 years
Jars of dried herbs and teas on shelves in a traditional remedy shop.

East Asian herbs and teas shop

Open a small shop selling herbs, teas and wellness products from East Asian traditions to walk-in customers.

  • £10k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of power tools and construction equipment in a trade supply store.

Local tool and equipment hire shop

Run a small unit hiring and selling power tools and site equipment to trades and homeowners.

  • £25k-100k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
905 UK companies in this field, 27% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of motorcycle parts, helmets and gear in a shop.

Motorcycle parts and gear shop

Open a small local shop selling parts, accessories and riding gear to riders and workshops.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,631 UK companies in this field, 28% registered in the last 2 years
Trays of drawer handles, hinges and fittings in a supplier warehouse.

Trade supplier of furniture hardware

Stock fittings and hardware from a small unit and supply local makers, fitters and shops.

  • £8k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,382 UK companies in this field, 34% registered in the last 2 years
Bidders raising paddles in an auction house room during a sale.

Local saleroom with live and online sales

Run a small saleroom selling house clearances, antiques and general goods for local sellers, with bidding in the room and online.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
20,012 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of loose-leaf and packaged teas displayed in a cosy tea shop.

Independent loose-leaf tea shop

Open a small shop selling loose-leaf tea, gifts and teaware to locals and visitors.

  • £10k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,349 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
Woven tatami mats covering the floor of a traditional Japanese-style room.

Tatami showroom with fitting service

Run a small shop where customers see and feel tatami before buying, with measuring and fitting offered.

  • £12k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,253 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
Rack of colourful greeting cards and wrapping paper in a card shop.

Independent greeting card shop

Open a small high street or village shop selling cards, wrapping and gifts for every occasion.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,265 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Flooring showroom displaying carpet, laminate and tile samples for customers to browse.

Local flooring shop and showroom

Sell carpets, laminate, vinyl and tiles from a small local showroom to homeowners and fitters.

  • £25k-90k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,253 UK companies in this field, 21% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of colourful buttons, threads and zips in a haberdashery shop.

Haberdashery shop with workshops

Open a small high street haberdashery selling supplies and running sewing classes.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,072 UK companies in this field, 29% registered in the last 2 years
Drawing board with set squares, scales and pens on a desk.

Drafting and technical supplies shop

Run a small shop near a university or design district selling drafting tools to students, architects and engineers.

  • £15k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,265 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Parent and child choosing toys from colourful shelves in a toy shop.

Independent toy shop on the high street

Open a small local toy and games shop that families and schools can visit and trust.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,843 UK companies in this field, 48% registered in the last 2 years
Shelves of sheet music books and folios in a music shop.

Sheet music shop with a small premises

Run a small specialist shop stocking scores, books and accessories for local musicians and teachers.

  • £10k-45k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
935 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
Gold and colourful bangles stacked on display cushions in a jewellery shop.

Bangle and jewellery shop on the high street

Open a small shop selling bangles and accessories, with wedding sets and sizing help for local customers.

  • £8k-30k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
8,496 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years
Cigars displayed in a wooden humidor inside a tobacconist shop.

Independent cigar shop

Open a small specialist shop selling cigars, pipe tobacco and accessories to adult customers.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
2,454 UK companies in this field, 40% registered in the last 2 years
Wine bottles displayed on shelves in an independent wine shop.

Independent neighbourhood wine shop

Open a small local shop selling carefully chosen wine, spirits and gifts, with tastings and advice.

  • £25k-80k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
5,349 UK companies in this field, 33% registered in the last 2 years
Colourful paint tins and brushes displayed on shelves in a decorating supply shop.

Local paint and decorating supplies shop

Open a small shop selling paint, tools and decorating supplies to homeowners and local decorators.

  • £25k-80k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,482 UK companies in this field, 22% registered in the last 2 years
Jars of colourful sweets and chocolates displayed in a traditional sweet shop.

Sweet and chocolate shop

Run a small shop selling pick and mix, chocolates and gift sweets to locals and visitors.

  • £12k-50k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
7,128 UK companies in this field, 39% registered in the last 2 years
Colourful fashion jewellery and accessories displayed in a retail shop.

Costume jewellery and accessories shop

Open a small high street or arcade shop selling fashion jewellery and accessories, with online sales on the side.

  • £8k-35k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
8,496 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years
Watchmaker repairing a wristwatch under a loupe with small tools.

Watch repair shop or kiosk

Run a small shop, kiosk or shared counter where walk-in customers get quick battery, strap and repair jobs.

  • £3k-15k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,144 UK companies in this field, 32% registered in the last 2 years
Dried Chinese herbs and teas in wooden drawers in a traditional apothecary shop.

Chinese herbs and teas shop

Open a small high street shop selling Chinese herbal teas, dried herbs and natural wellbeing products.

  • £8k-35k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
2,916 UK companies in this field, 25% registered in the last 2 years
Resistors, chips and connectors laid out on an electronics workbench.

Local electronic parts trade supplier

Stock a small unit with components for local repairers, makers and small manufacturers who need parts fast.

  • £8k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
6,604 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years
Customers browsing laptops and desktop computers displayed in a bright computer store.

Local computer shop with setup help

Sell computers, parts and accessories from a small shop, with setup help for home users and local businesses.

  • £15k-60k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
3,880 UK companies in this field, 37% registered in the last 2 years

About these ideas

You might look at a local model and hobby shop, a curtain and blind shop with a workroom, or a japanese grocery shop serving a specific community. Before anything else, work out what rent, business rates, fit-out and stock will cost, and whether enough people near the location will want what you sell. Check the lease terms carefully, including length, break clauses and permitted use. Many owners start by visiting similar shops at different times of day to judge footfall before committing.

More ideas

Questions

How do I choose the right location for a retail shop in the UK?

Look at footfall at different times of day, nearby competitors, parking and public transport. Check the rent, business rates and lease length for each option. It is worth asking local traders what the area is like and whether your target customers actually shop there.

What should I check before signing a commercial lease?

Check the length of the term, break clauses, rent review terms, who pays for repairs and whether the permitted use covers your type of shop. It is sensible to have a solicitor review the lease before you sign, as obligations can last for years.

Do I need permission to open a shop on a high street?

Possibly. You may need to check the planning use class for the unit, any restrictions in the lease, and local council rules on signage or alterations. Selling certain goods, such as alcohol or food, may need extra licences or registrations, so check with your local council.