East asian herbs and teas shop

Local people who already use these products, curious first-timers, and nearby practitioners and restaurants.

You buy from wholesalers and sell at a mark-up, weighing loose herbs and selling packaged teas and gift sets. Repeat customers make up much of the trade.

• Customer service and a friendly manner
• Product knowledge and careful stock handling
• Basic bookkeeping and stock control

• Herbal products sold with medicinal claims may need MHRA registration or a licence, so check each product before stocking it
• Some herbs and ingredients are restricted or banned in the UK, so buy only from reputable suppliers and ask for documentation
• Never suggest a product treats or cures a condition, and check the rules on advertising claims
• Food-type products usually mean registering with your local council as a food business, so check the labelling and hygiene rules
• Public liability and product liability insurance, plus lease terms and business rates

Startup costs are typically around £10,000 to £40,000, depending on the premises, shop fit-out and the range of stock you buy. These are estimates, so cost your lease, initial stock and insurance before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically around £3,000 to £12,000, depending on location, footfall, product range and prices. The estimate assumes from about 35 hours a week. Revenue is not profit, so allow for stock, rent and rates.

Herbal products sold with medicinal claims may need MHRA registration or a licence, so check each product. Also check restricted or banned herbs, rules on advertising claims, and council food business registration and labelling for food-type products.