Open a korean grocery shop

Korean and other East Asian households, students, curious home cooks and local restaurants or cafes.

Mark-up on products bought from wholesalers or importers, with regular repeat customers and larger trade orders from restaurants adding steady sales.

• Knowledge of Korean food and brands
• Buying and stock control
• Retail and customer service
• Basic bookkeeping

• Register your food business with the local council, usually at least 28 days before opening, check with your council
• Chilled and frozen stock needs reliable fridges and freezers, plus temperature records and food hygiene practices
• Check premises rules such as use class, lease terms, business rates and any shop fit-out requirements
• Imported goods must meet UK labelling and allergen rules, check with your supplier and Trading Standards
• Selling alcohol such as soju needs a premises licence and personal licence, check with your council
• Public liability and stock insurance, and cash tied up in stock

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, fit-out, fridges and freezers, and opening stock. Check lease terms and business rates, and remember cash gets tied up in stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £30,000, depending on location, range and whether you also supply local restaurants. Estimates suggest at least 40 hours a week to run a shop.

Things to check include registering your food business with the council, usually at least 28 days before opening, UK labelling and allergen rules for imports, premises rules such as use class, and a premises licence and personal licence if selling alcohol such as soju.