Asian household goods shop

Local families, students, home cooks, and shoppers who want items that big chain stores rarely stock.

You buy stock from wholesalers or importers and sell at a mark-up. Steady everyday items bring repeat visits, while larger items like rice cookers add higher-value sales.

• Choosing stock people actually need
• Customer service
• Stock control and basic bookkeeping
• Negotiating with suppliers

• Check lease terms, deposit, business rates and whether the unit's planning use class suits a shop
• Electrical goods such as rice cookers must meet UK safety and plug rules, so check with your supplier and Trading Standards
• Cleaning chemicals and some imported products have labelling rules, so check requirements before stocking them
• Shop insurance, including public liability and stock cover
• Stock tied up in slow sellers can squeeze cash, so start with a modest range

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on your premises, fit-out and opening stock. These are estimates. Stock tied up in slow sellers can squeeze cash, so consider starting with a modest range.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £18,000, depending on your location, range and local customer base. That is revenue, not profit. Check your numbers against rent, rates and stock costs before signing a lease.

Electrical goods such as rice cookers must meet UK safety and plug rules, so check with your supplier and Trading Standards. Check labelling rules for cleaning chemicals and imported products, plus lease terms, business rates, planning use class and shop insurance.