Online health food shop

People with specific dietary needs or preferences who want convenient delivery, including subscription shoppers.

Markup on products sold through your website or marketplaces, plus subscription boxes, bundles and gift sets that raise the average order value.

• Setting up an online store
• Social media or email marketing
• Packing and shipping organization
• Choosing a clear niche

• Reselling sealed, pre-packaged food often needs no special food license, but check with your state or county health department whether storing and shipping food from home needs a permit where you live
• Cottage food laws usually cover food you make yourself, so check them only if you plan to make or repackage products
• Check whether your state requires a sales tax permit or seller registration, and how sales tax applies to online orders shipped to other states
• Check with your city or county whether you need a general business license or home occupation permit, and check any HOA or lease limits on storing stock
• Health claims on your website and product listings are regulated by the FDA and FTC, so avoid medical claims and check any supplements you stock
• Food has expiry dates, and shipping costs and returns can eat into margins
• Consider product liability insurance, and check whether suppliers or marketplaces require it

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $1,500 to $8,000, depending on your store setup, opening stock, packing supplies and marketing. A tight niche can help keep the first order of stock manageable.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $500 to $5,000, depending on your niche, pricing and how many repeat or subscription customers you build. Expect at least about 10 hours a week.

Check with your state or county health department whether storing and shipping food from home needs a permit. Also check sales tax permit rules, any city or county license, and FDA and FTC rules on health claims.