Italian specialty grocery shop

Home cooks, Italian-American families, foodies, local restaurants and people buying gifts or party platters.

You buy from importers and distributors and sell at a markup. Extra income can come from sandwiches, prepared foods, gift baskets and catering platters.

• Knowledge of Italian food and products
• Buying and stock control
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping

• Retail food permit from your local health department, with extra rules if you slice deli meats or cheese or prepare food
• Alcohol license from your state if you sell wine, as rules and costs vary a lot by state
• Sales tax registration with your state, and check which food items are taxable
• General liability and property insurance, plus workers' compensation once you hire
• Import labeling and expiry dates on products, and tight margins from rent and perishable stock
• Large upfront stock and lease costs, so start small and test demand

Startup costs are typically around $40,000 to $150,000, depending on your location, lease and opening stock. Large upfront stock and lease costs are a risk, so consider starting small and testing demand.

Monthly revenue is typically around $12,000 to $50,000, depending on shop size, location and product range. The estimate assumes about 40 or more hours a week. Margins can be tight because of rent and perishable stock.

Check for a retail food permit from your local health department, with extra rules if you slice deli meats or cheese or prepare food. Check state alcohol licensing if you sell wine, plus sales tax registration and which food items are taxable.