Online japanese grocery store

Home cooks, Japanese food fans and Japanese expats who live far from a specialist shop, plus some small cafes and takeaways.

You buy at wholesale and sell at a mark-up, earning a margin on each item. Bundles, starter boxes and subscriptions can raise the order value, though postage costs need covering.

• Knowledge of Japanese ingredients
• Stock control and organisation
• Basic website and social media use
• Customer service

• Register as a food business with your local council before you start, and check what storage rules apply
• Check labelling rules: imported products usually need UK-compliant labels, including allergens and a UK address
• Watch best-before dates, especially on fresh, chilled and short-life items
• Check whether your landlord or mortgage lender allows storing stock at home
• Postage and packaging costs for heavy bottles and bags can eat into your margin

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around £2,000 to £8,000, depending on how much initial stock you buy, your website or marketplace set-up and packaging. Remember that postage for heavy bottles and bags affects your margin.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £800 to £4,000, depending on your product range, stock levels and how many customers you reach. The estimates assume at least about 10 hours a week.

Check that you register as a food business with your local council and what storage rules apply. Also check labelling rules for imported products, including allergens and a UK address, and watch best-before dates on short-life items.