Specialist cigar and pipe shop

Regular smokers, cigar and pipe enthusiasts, gift buyers and visitors looking for something specialist.

You buy from licensed suppliers and sell at a mark-up. Accessories and gifts usually carry better margins than tobacco, which has heavy duty and tax built into the price.

• Product knowledge and honest advice
• Customer service
• Stock control and cash handling
• Checking age on every sale

• Rules differ across the UK and are changing, so check current requirements for your nation before you trade, including display, packaging, age of sale and any retailer registration
• If you trade in Scotland or Northern Ireland, check how to join the national tobacco retailer register, as you are expected to be registered before selling. England and Wales do not currently require a tobacco retailer licence, but new licensing or registration schemes have been proposed, so check with your council before you open
• Selling to under-18s can lead to fines, so train anyone who serves and use ID checks
• Buy only duty-paid stock from reputable, legitimate suppliers
• Heavy tax on tobacco ties up cash in stock, so plan your cash flow carefully
• Business rates, insurance for stock and theft, and a lease that allows tobacco sales

Startup costs are typically around £15,000 to £60,000, depending on the premises, fit-out and how much stock you buy. Heavy tax on tobacco ties up cash in stock, so plan your cash flow carefully.

Monthly revenue is typically around £6,000 to £25,000, depending on location, your product range and how many regular customers you build. These are revenue estimates, not profit, so stock, rent, rates and insurance come out of that.

Rules differ across the UK and are changing, so check current requirements for your nation, including display, packaging, age of sale and any retailer registration, such as in Scotland or Northern Ireland. Check with your council, buy only duty-paid stock and train staff on ID checks.