Japanese sweets and snacks shop

Students, families, anime and Japan fans, tourists and shoppers looking for a small treat or gift.

You buy in bulk and sell by the item at a mark-up. Gift boxes, bundles and seasonal lines can raise the average spend.

• Choosing stock that sells
• Customer service
• Managing stock and cash flow

• Food business registration with your council, usually needed before you open, so check the timing
• Labelling of imported products: check what UK rules require, such as English ingredients, allergen information and a UK business address
• Some foods, especially those containing meat or dairy, may face import restrictions, so check government guidance
• Best before dates, stock rotation and storage conditions
• Public liability insurance, plus business rates and lease terms for your premises
• Long hours and rent are fixed costs, so test demand before signing a long lease

Startup costs are typically around £8,000 to £35,000, depending on your premises, opening stock and lease terms. These are estimates, so test demand before signing a long lease, because rent is a fixed cost.

Monthly revenue is typically around £4,000 to £18,000, depending on your location, the stock you choose and your customers. Hours typically start from around 30 a week, and rent and other fixed costs come out of that revenue.

Check food business registration with your council before opening, and UK labelling rules for imported products, including English ingredients, allergen information and a UK business address. Also check government guidance on import restrictions for foods containing meat or dairy.