Shisha and hookah shop

Adult shisha smokers, including regulars, people buying for home or parties, and some local cafes or lounges buying accessories.

You buy stock from wholesalers and sell at a margin. Accessories and hookahs usually add margin on top of repeat tobacco and charcoal sales.

• Retail and customer service
• Stock control and ordering
• Product knowledge and honest advice
• Checking age and ID confidently

• Tobacco rules are strict and changing: check current law on packaging, health warnings, display, tracking and traceability, and any retailer registration or licensing scheme
• Never sell to under-18s, and set up a clear age-check routine
• Buy only from legitimate, duty-paid suppliers; illicit or counterfeit stock risks seizure and prosecution
• Smoking shisha inside the shop is likely to breach smoke-free law, so check before offering any try-before-you-buy
• Shop insurance, public liability and business rates, and check the lease terms and permitted use
• Local councils and Trading Standards can inspect, so keep invoices and records

Estimates suggest typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and stock. Check lease terms, permitted use, business rates, and shop and public liability insurance before you commit.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around £8,000 to £30,000, depending on location, range and regular customers. Estimates suggest at least about 40 hours a week. Buy only from legitimate, duty-paid suppliers.

Tobacco rules are strict and changing, so check current law on packaging, health warnings, display, traceability and any retailer registration scheme. Never sell to under-18s, and check smoke-free law before offering any on-site trial.