Filipino grocery shop

Filipino families and workers nearby, plus curious home cooks and neighbours who want to try the cuisine.

You buy from wholesalers and importers and sell at a markup. Frozen and chilled lines, regular basics and money-saving bundles bring shoppers back each week.

• Customer service
• Stock ordering and cash control
• Knowing Filipino food and brands
• Basic food hygiene

• Register your food business with your local council, usually before you start trading
• Check labelling rules for imported and repacked foods, and any restrictions on certain imports
• Frozen and chilled stock needs reliable fridges and freezers, so check running costs and spoilage risk
• Public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire staff
• Check lease terms, business rates and whether the unit has the right planning use
• Cash flow can be tight when buying stock in bulk, so start with a small range

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, your fridges and freezers, and how much stock you buy. Starting with a small range can help manage cash flow when buying stock in bulk.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on your location, range and how many customers you attract. This is revenue rather than profit, and frozen and chilled stock brings running costs and spoilage risk to consider.

Check that you register your food business with your local council, usually before you start trading. Check labelling rules for imported and repacked foods and any import restrictions. Also check lease terms, business rates, planning use, and public liability insurance, plus employer's liability once you hire staff.