Independent local general store

Local residents, people passing on their way to work or school, and older or less mobile customers who prefer a short walk to a big supermarket.

You buy stock from wholesalers and sell at a mark-up. Takings depend on footfall, opening hours, range and how well you control stock waste and costs.

• Friendly customer service
• Ordering and stock control
• Basic bookkeeping
• Comfortable with long, regular hours

• Selling alcohol needs a premises licence and a personal licence holder, so check with your local council before you plan on it
• Age-restricted products such as alcohol, tobacco, vapes and knives need strict age checks and staff training, so check the current rules
• Check the lease terms, business rates and whether the premises has the right planning use for a shop
• If you sell food, register with your local council, and public liability and stock insurance are worth checking
• Thin margins, shoplifting and wasted stock can hurt, so keep a close eye on costs and stock

Startup costs are typically estimated at around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, the fit-out and how much opening stock you buy. Your lease terms and the range you choose will also affect where you land.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on location, opening hours and range. That is revenue, not profit. Margins can be thin, so keep a close eye on costs and wasted stock.

Check with your local council about a premises licence and personal licence holder if you want to sell alcohol, plus age checks for restricted products. Also check the lease, business rates, planning use, food registration and insurance.