Local health and beauty shop

Local shoppers, gift buyers and regular customers who like to see and try products and get friendly advice in person.

You buy stock wholesale and sell at retail prices. Income comes from product margins, and many shops add gift sets or an online shop alongside the till.

• Product knowledge and range selection
• Customer service and selling
• Stock control and basic bookkeeping
• Shop display

• Rent, business rates and a lease are long commitments, get advice before signing and check if small business rate relief applies
• Cosmetic products have safety and labelling rules, check with Trading Standards
• Public liability, stock and contents insurance
• Employer's liability insurance if you hire staff
• Money tied up in stock and slow-selling lines
• Planning use class for the unit, check with the council

Startup costs are estimated at typically around £8,000 to £40,000, depending on the unit, shop fit-out, stock range and deposits. Rent, business rates and a lease are long commitments, so get advice before signing.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £3,000 to £15,000, depending on location, range, pricing and footfall. Slow-selling lines can tie up money in stock, so these are revenue estimates, not profit.

Check cosmetic safety and labelling rules with Trading Standards, the planning use class with the council, and whether small business rate relief applies. Also check public liability, stock and contents insurance, and employer's liability if you hire staff.