Open an organic food shop on the high street

Health-conscious households, families, people with dietary needs and shoppers who prefer to buy local and independent.

You buy from organic wholesalers and growers and sell at a mark-up. Profit depends on stock choice, keeping waste low and building regular customers.

• Choosing and ordering stock
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control
• Knowledge of organic and dietary labelling

• Register your food business with your local council before you start trading
• Only describe products as organic if they are certified; check the rules on organic labelling and whether you need your own certification, for example if you repackage or sell loose
• Public liability insurance and stock cover, plus employer's liability once you hire
• Fresh produce can spoil, so plan ordering carefully to limit waste
• Lease commitments, rent and business rates can be heavy for a new shop, so check them carefully
• Check food hygiene, allergen and labelling requirements

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the size and location of the premises, shop fit-out and your opening stock. These are estimates, so build your own budget from real quotes.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on location, range and footfall. These are estimates, not guarantees, and rent, rates, stock and wages all come out of that figure.

Check that you register your food business with your local council before trading. Only call products organic if they are certified, and check whether you need your own certification. Also check food hygiene, allergen and labelling requirements.