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Individual food trade where to start. How to open a retail outlet in the market

A small business can be started with a small retail store. In this case, the risk of bankruptcy is minimal, and this starting option will be the most optimal.

And this article will help answer questions about how to open a retail outlet from scratch, where to open it, how to choose the right range of goods sold, organize a pricing policy and keep records correctly.

To begin with, the amount of starting capital is determined and the products sold are selected. A search is made for suppliers whose conditions are favorable and convenient for those opening office work. At the first stage, it is recommended to select related product groups.

When opening a retail outlet in public places - in a market or in a shopping center, registration of an individual entrepreneur will be required.

Moreover, the optimal choice of the system by which taxes will be paid to the state is important. The most common tax system is the simplified tax system.

The selection of the location where the retail outlet will be located is carried out very carefully. Competitors' stores should not be located in close proximity to the opening outlet.

Having decided on the location, you can agree on the cost and rental conditions. When concluding a lease agreement, you should pay attention to the possibility of early termination.

Purchasing commercial equipment to create the appearance and design of the store will greatly affect the loyalty and trust of potential customers.

Hiring a seller is mandatory so that the businessman has time to deal with other organizational issues. The friendliness of the seller and his good guidance in the assortment will affect the success of the retail trade and its profitability.

Price policy

The cost of the proposed product should be thought out depending on the capabilities of the target audience - whether it will be a budget product designed for a large part of the population, or an elite one.

At the beginning of office work, you can organize an exhibition with a minimum markup to attract potential buyers and create a client base. At first, only a refund of the money spent is guaranteed. But there will be no significant profit, even with a large markup, due to the irregularity of sales.

It is preferable to choose an intermediate price setting option. To set the optimal markup for the products sold, it is necessary to analyze the prices most often set in the sales region, it is necessary to study the pricing policies of competitors and adjust the prices of an open outlet from scratch.

Automation of retail sales

At the initial stage of office work, it is important to promptly obtain reliable data on its active state. To do this, it is advisable to automate this business by selecting a functional accounting program.

Purchasing expensive software products is not justifiable for a small company due to the associated purchase and maintenance costs.

Online accounting systems do not require installation; they are basically Internet applications that do not require downloading or updating. Their capabilities:

  • Organization of sales at several points;
  • Using the seller interface to register a sale;
  • Generating reports by shift and for the selected period;
  • Creating and printing documents;
  • Automatic and manual assignment of discounts;
  • Carrying out cash and non-cash sales;
  • And other.

Such programs provide data on profitability, profitability of a retail outlet, cost and volume of goods sold, trade dynamics, balances and movement of products sold, the state of non-cash and cash funds, income and expenses for certain items.

Many people who want to start their own business do not think about the difficulties they need to go through. It seems: what’s complicated, I built it, purchased goods - and that’s it. But it was not there. If you ask any person who owns a store, he will tell you that this is not an easy matter; there are a huge number of nuances that need to be resolved before opening a store. Where to begin?

First of all, you need to decide what product you are going to sell. Will they buy it, will it be in demand or not. Secondly, you need to choose the location where the store will be located. There are several options to consider here. The selected area should be easily accessible, crowded, and visited. It is also possible to rent space in one of the shopping centers. If you want to know people's opinions, ask them personally, find out if they are interested in your new products and whether they will visit the store.

What is needed to start a business

Before considering this issue, let's draw up a small store business plan for ourselves. It should not be written on several sheets. The document, first of all, should be brief, but at the same time answer all important questions regarding the opening of an establishment. Here is a small store business plan presenting the main aspects:

1. What will be the format of the enterprise (regular establishment or online store, boutique, retail outlet or supermarket?).

2. Products, assortment. Target audience (buyers).

3. Location (where you are going to build your store, or maybe it will be a rented premises).

4. Retail space (size of area and all costs for it).

5. Equipment (what you will need for the store, price).

6. Personnel (how many people to hire, what salary to pay them).

7. Costs for registering a store, necessary licenses (for example, for selling tobacco, alcohol).

Documents required to open a store

You will have to spend a lot of time and quite a lot of nerves on completing paperwork and obtaining permits. In the process of starting their own business, every entrepreneur felt how difficult it was to collect the entire list of necessary licenses. This part is integral, without it you cannot do anything. So, how to open a store from scratch and what licenses should you get?

  • First, you need to prepare documents that will indicate the number of founders of the enterprise, its name, and type of activity. The papers must contain detailed information about the chief director and accountant, information about the authorized capital and the taxation system.
  • It is necessary to submit an application for obtaining a fire service report, attach a lease agreement, a store registration document, a BTI plan, a contract for installing a fire safety system, and an insurance policy for your building. After this, you need to appoint a person responsible for the fire safety department.
  • Don't forget: a store's advertising sign is considered square footage and also requires permission. To obtain it, you should submit a request to special organizations.
  • All necessary certificates for obtaining the installation of a cash register: a rental agreement for the premises and a certificate of opening a company.
  • To sign a sanitary report from Rospotrebnadzor, it is worth collecting the relevant documents: a document on the retail space, an application, company registration, a paper on registration with the Tax Inspectorate, all product certificates, personnel work books, a permit for garbage removal.

Finally, after receiving all the conclusions, you can relax and enjoy further work. From this moment, truly interesting activities begin, such as creating an interior, arranging products, etc. Pay serious attention to the name of the store, since a lot depends on it: the more interesting it is, the easier it is to remember it. The next stage is determining the design of the establishment. A well-chosen interior makes the room a cozy place for buyers. But if visitors like the trading floor, they will want to return to it again and, of course, make some kind of purchase.

Some examples of store openings

Many entrepreneurs are faced with the question “how to open a children's store?” The demand for products for children was, is and will always be. Their market is quite saturated and rich in assortment. Today in Moscow there are more than 100 stores for children, of course, 60% of them are chain establishments. In such centers you can find everything you need for a child of different ages: shoes, clothes, baby food, toys, books, cosmetics, as well as furniture and equipment. Therefore, if you want to start doing business in this area and your finances allow it, don’t hesitate, open a store soon and don’t be afraid of anything. Currently, a huge number of people visit establishments with goods for babies, since parents always try to buy quality products for their children.

It is worth noting that if you do not have enough funds to open a large store in the capital, do not despair! You can easily build a modest establishment in a small town. Before you open its doors, decide on the location, examine the presence of competitors, and what products they offer. The most important thing is to have a desire, and experience will come in the process of activity.

Key points when opening a clothing store

The clothing trade business is considered one of the most popular. People always buy things and will buy them. Many people follow fashion and new trends. Purchase goods for different seasons.

But in this area, as in any other, there are disadvantages and advantages. The biggest problem is considered to be huge competition. In large cities, this industry has certain leaders who have been on the market for a long time, have their own regular customers, original advertising, etc. It will be very difficult to compete with them, but it is quite possible. Today, most entrepreneurs are trying to open chain establishments.

Many people think: “I’ll open a clothing store and immediately be one of the first.” But not everything is as easy as it seems. In order not to be trampled, you need to compete with others. There are several ways: interesting, different products and low prices for products. Of course, if you only
opened, the option with cheap products is not suitable for you. If you study the market poorly, you can go broke very quickly. Therefore, for those who are thinking about how to open their own store and not go bankrupt, the best trick would be a different assortment. To do this, it is worth coming up with a unique concept for the establishment, selling goods that are not sold in rival stores. Moreover, if this is a new establishment, then a diverse, unique assortment will be the main advantage.

If you still decide to devote yourself to this business, then you must set yourself a clear goal: “I will open a clothing store and will do everything necessary to make it the best.” With this attitude, you will succeed.

The most important thing is not to forget that fashion changes every day. You will have to constantly follow new trends and predict demand for the product. The success of your establishment depends only on you.

How to open a store selling mobile phones

In modern times, technology is developing very rapidly. New, improved phone models are entering the market. For entrepreneurs selling cellular communications, this business will bring profit for quite a long time.

How to open a store from scratch? Let's consider a few important points.

  • It is best to engage in such activities in a small town, since the lack of competitors will give you a good boost and chances of success.
  • If you decide to open a store selling phones, then you need to find good premises. It should be located in a public place. In this case, you don’t have to be afraid of your opponents. Since people do not shop at small stalls, etc. Before opening your store, you need to decide the following points:
  • You will need permission from authorities: fire department, security company, tax authority.
  • Equipment for the store, namely glass shelves, a counter for the seller, a table for customers. This furniture is simply necessary in cell phone establishments.
  • The next thing to do is to choose an assortment for your new business. Try to purchase phones from popular brands. Also, carefully select the product; it should be designed for people with different financial capabilities. Plus, stock up on accessories for mobile phones, this will only bring you additional income.
  • Choose the right staff. These should be people who are knowledgeable in this area. Compose questionnaires containing questions that interest you.
  • Finally, take care of advertising. Before opening a store, make a decent sign with an original name. In addition to this, start distributing leaflets, make announcements on local TV or radio, etc.

Key Points You Need to Know When Opening a Grocery Store

Such establishments will always exist, because people simply need to eat. The demand for food is constant. Owners of supermarkets and shops are not afraid of anything, even when there is an economic downturn. Since after it a rise necessarily follows. It will be no secret to anyone that nowadays almost every entrepreneur is thinking about how to open a grocery store.

But this type of business is not the best for people with little experience. There are two good reasons for this:

  1. You must have significant start-up capital.
  2. A large number of licenses, consents, etc. need to be collected.

How much does it cost to open a grocery store?

It is difficult to give an exact figure. Factors influencing the price: the size of the retail space, the area in which the establishment will open, etc. The average amount for a large supermarket is considered to be $100,000. This figure may vary depending on where the store is located.

What is the starting capital used for? As a rule, it is spent on construction, renting premises, also on repairs, hiring staff, purchasing products and equipment. The list of exceptions includes boutique stores that sell hard-to-find, high-quality products.

How to open your own grocery store and not lose to the competition

This type of business has fierce competition. These are various chains of supermarkets, hypermarkets, kiosks, and also medium-sized private stores.

If you are wondering how to open your own store and not go bankrupt, you must first consider some nuances. Without huge start-up capital, you cannot compete with large networks. But in order to survive in the market, you need to identify your core strengths.

  • Create a good work schedule. Open a store when others close. If it is profitable, start working around the clock.
  • Sell ​​products that are not sold in neighboring stores. For example, fresh milk, natural products.
  • Take care of the service - it must be at a high level. Hire real professionals who thoroughly know their business.
  • Make sure that there are never long queues in your establishment.

Opening a beer store

It is worth noting that in 2008-2009 a huge number of draft beer stores were opened. And all because these years were a crisis, many people were left without work, so the majority decided to open their own business.

If you decide to make money from draft beer, then you need to remember the main aspects. We provide you with step-by-step information instructions on how to open a beer store. The plan is very detailed and well written.

  1. You need to register an individual entrepreneur.
  2. It is necessary to conclude a rental agreement for the premises.
  3. Install a cash register that will be in your store.
  4. Draw up a contract for its maintenance.
  5. Then you need to obtain a trading permit from the local administration department.
  6. Expect a visit from the SES and firefighters.

Try to pay attention to the interior of the establishment; it can be decorated in the style of a sports bar. If possible, hang a plasma TV on the wall. Thanks to this, visitors will have the opportunity to enjoy watching sports broadcasts.

It is clear that the profit of any store depends on the trade margin, which, as a rule, is set by the entrepreneur himself.

  1. Price markup on expensive imported beer is about 30% per liter.
  2. Domestic - starting from 100%.
  3. The trade markup on 1 beer keg is no less than 2,000 rubles.

Then a liter of alcoholic drink will cost from 60 to 250 rubles. Consequently, in a store, draft beer will cost less than bottled beer.

Expected profit amount

In winter, the draft beer business is slow. Trading it during the cold period is not very profitable. You will practically not be able to earn any income. But in the summer this business will flourish. In hot weather, it will be possible to earn a net profit of about 300,000 rubles. If your outlet is located in a good, crowded place, then the expected income can increase significantly.

And finally, I would like to note: people doing business always have the opportunity to earn money. The most important thing is to approach things wisely and not be afraid to face difficulties that arise.


The information is relevant for those who are planning to open a store in Russia, Belarus, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and other CIS countries and the world. All features of starting an enterprise are universal for different areas.

In this article we answer the following questions:

  • How to create a store from scratch, and how much does it cost?
  • What type of outlet is better to choose?
  • Where to start, how to draw up documents and equip a retail space?
  • How to attract customers and make a stable profit?

Winning option– choose the type of product related to your professional skills or hobby.

For example, a person who understands technology will be able to organize its sale, correctly assess the needs of customers and know how to present this product. Cosmetics or clothing stores are traditionally run by women who are passionate about beauty and style. It’s easier to form an assortment and organize work with those things that you understand.

If you approach the choice of direction purely for commercial reasons, then you should open an enterprise of any type that is in demand in a certain place. If there is nowhere to buy pasta in a residential area after nine in the evening, the best solution is your own 24-hour grocery store.

The nuances of opening a store, or factors to consider when choosing a market niche:

1. Seasonality of business. Many types of goods sell better during a certain season (winter clothing, some sporting goods, etc.). Decide on the seasonality of your business and think in advance about ways to get money during the off-season.

2. Competition. When deciding on the type of product, it is important to choose a location without direct competitors nearby. Or offer the buyer something that a competitor does not have. For example, adjacent to expensive boutiques in a shopping center, it is worth offering a good assortment of youth clothing and accessories at a low price.

A grocery store near a supermarket cannot survive with the usual assortment. It is better to specialize in the sale of confectionery, meat, household essentials, etc., that is, to narrow your niche.

3. Be very careful with your ideas., which have no analogues. On the one hand, such a business, in the absence of competitors, will receive maximum profit. On the other hand, the lack of competition may mean that such products are not in demand.

Step 2: Store Name

You need to start preparing for the opening with the name. This is a small thing that should be taken care of in advance. When writing a business plan and planning expenses, be sure to take the sign into account. And its cost directly depends on the name.

Main requirement– adequacy and attractiveness of the name. It should explain to passersby what is sold inside. If you want to take an original name, then add a specialization to it (grocery, construction, clothing, etc.)

Step 3: Business Plan

If you are not sure whether it is worth spending time on this, cast aside all doubts. This is a step-by-step guide on how to open your own store, plus an extra opportunity to look at your business from the outside: assess the risks and benefits.

Mandatory points of a business plan

  • Summary(where the enterprise is located, what it does);
  • Market and competitor analysis;
  • Organizational aspects(registration of an enterprise, obtaining the necessary permits and licenses);
  • Marketing plan(how will you stimulate sales, what advertising to use to attract and retain customers);
  • Assortment and pricing(what categories of goods will be presented, their cost, brands);
  • Production plan(arrangement of premises, communications, division into zones);
  • Technical base(equipment, manufacturers from whom it is profitable to purchase);
  • Organizational plan(staff and work schedule, salary level);
  • Possible risks, and how to deal with them. This paragraph implies a description of a “pessimistic” option for business development. A pre-prepared strategy will help cope with possible difficulties;
  • Financial plan(how much money will be required to open a business, calculate potential profits, calculate payback).

Step. 4: Search for premises

Own premises for a store are very rare, so in planning we focus on rented space. Common placement options: the first floor of a residential building or office building, space in a shopping center, a separate building. The last option is the most expensive and not always practical.

The best place is on the “red line”, that is, facing a road with a lot of traffic. Whether in a residential area or in the city center, this is an ideal way to receive “random” buyers who were just passing by. Below are the basic conditions when choosing a location, or where it is best to open a store.

Availability. No confusing alleys on the way to the establishment, it should be easy to find and easy to see from afar. Huge advantages are the availability of nearby parking and advertising signs.

Positioning(customer-oriented placement). Different locations are suitable for each type of product. Small grocery outlets are popular in residential areas, souvenirs - in entertainment centers, luxury goods are best sold in the city center, stationery - near schools, universities, and business centers.

Properly selected room area. Space must be used rationally so as not to overpay for extra square meters. But some businesses require a lot of space.

For example, a small boutique of gifts and souvenirs needs 20 sq. m, a clothing store with fitting rooms will need at least 40 sq. m. The area of ​​the retail space ranges from 20-100 sq. m. m depending on the selected type.

Adequate rent, corresponding to the price level. For example, expensive space in a shopping mall is unprofitable for a thrift store. On average, the rental cost is $8-11 per 1 sq. m. m in residential areas and remote places, $15-20 per 1 sq. m. m - in the center.

Important nuance– it is worth paying rent for six months to a year in advance (this will go towards capital investments) to ensure the work of the company in the first months, until trade begins to generate large income. Otherwise, with a frantic monthly search for money for rent, there is a risk of going broke.

Step 5: Arrangement and renovation of the premises

You need to rent an area and start developing the site before receiving most of the permits. Most authorities require a lease agreement in the package of documents, and also check the readiness of the premises for work.

Requirements

Mandatory conditions for all trading floors:

  1. Having an evacuation plan, fire alarms, fire extinguishers;
  2. Availability of heating, electricity, air conditioning, running water(not necessarily for all types of sales, important for food);
  3. When renovating during finishing, painting, cladding, use moisture-resistant and easy-to-clean materials. Floors must be smooth, without cracks or potholes;
  4. Compliance with consumer rights. This includes control scales for food outlets, the presence of a complaint book and a consumer corner (sales rules, company contact details, etc.);
  5. The layout of the space should be simple for the buyer, without impeding movement in the hall.

Placement permission and when to get it

This certificate must be obtained before repairs begin. This is a kind of expert assessment from Rospotrebnadzor on whether it is possible to start sales in the selected location. If the site is not suitable in many respects, then money for repairs will be wasted. Receiving an expert assessment takes 2-3 weeks. If you contact a special law firm, the cost of registration will be $150-160.

On average, cosmetic repairs and decoration premises with an area of ​​50-70 sq. m cost 1500-2000 dollars.

Step 6: Business Registration

What documents are needed to open a store? First, officially register. The simplest option is an individual entrepreneur, it is faster, cheaper and less hassle with accounting. But, for example, only an LLC with an authorized capital of at least a million rubles can sell alcoholic beverages.

How to open an individual entrepreneur?

A certificate of registration of a legal entity must be obtained from the local tax office at the registration address. It is worth deciding on the taxation system in advance (OSNO, USN, UTII).

Documents required for tax purposes

  • Your passport(for foreign citizens - international passport) and TIN. If you do not have an individual taxpayer number, it will be issued along with the certificate, it will take 4-5 days longer;
  • Application on form P21001 (For Russia). One of the important points of the application is the choice of OKVED codes. They may differ for each type of store, but the common subsection for all is: 47 – “Retail trade, except trade in motor vehicles and motorcycles.” It is recommended to select as many suitable codes as possible so as not to have to worry about “pre-registration” later. Extra codes do not affect the activity in any way;
  • Receipt, confirming payment of the state fee ($12);
  • Application for transition to a simplified taxation system if it suits you. Otherwise, OSN is written by default.

The tax office issues a receipt confirming receipt of documents. After five days, the application will be reviewed; if the answer is positive, the entrepreneur receives a certificate of registration with the tax service and an extract from the Unified State Register of Individual Entrepreneurs (USRIP).

Together with them, they are issued a notification about the assignment of statistics codes from Rosstat, a certificate of registration of the entrepreneur in the pension fund at the place of residence, and a certificate of registration in the Federal Compulsory Compulsory Medical Insurance Fund. Otherwise, you will have to issue these certificates separately.

After this, you need to open a bank account and make a stamp (up to $15). A seal is not required for an individual entrepreneur; usually a signature and the mark “B/P” (“without seal”) are sufficient.

Other documentation

Conclusion of Rospozharnadzor. To obtain, you need an application, a certificate of registration of individual entrepreneurs, a BTI plan, a lease agreement for commercial space, an insurance policy for the facility, documents on the installation of a fire alarm. One of the employees must undergo fire safety training and take on the responsibilities of the supervisor for its compliance.

Sanitary and epidemiological conclusion from Rospotrebnadzor. In addition to basic evidence, we need a sanitary passport of the building, medical records of employees, contracts for disposal and disinfection, and product quality certificates.

The opening of this enterprise most often involves the purchase and registration of a cash register with the Federal Tax Service. To do this, you already need documents about opening the enterprise.

Remember that the electronic control tape protected on the device must be changed every year.

The sign also requires permission from the local government.

Do-it-yourself documentation will cost approximately $100, when contacting special intermediary companies, you will have to shell out $500 or more.

Step 7: Selecting Suppliers

Main selection criteria:

  1. Experience and reliability, reviews from other buyers;
  2. Range. The most convenient supplier - from whom you can purchase a maximum of different products. Pay attention to recognizable products from well-known brands, they sell better;
  3. Convenience of calculations. Various bonuses, discounts, deferments. It is difficult for a beginner to find a supplier who will agree to provide products with deferred payment. However, it is worth trying to negotiate according to the “50/50” scheme; you pay for some of the goods immediately, and for others after the sale.

You should look for suppliers on the Internet, newspapers and magazines, and at industry exhibitions.

Step 8: Shop equipment

Common equipment items for all store types:

  • Racks, counters, display cases - about $700. Good manufacturers - Mago, Neka, Rus, Fabrik Art;
  • A simple reception for picking up purchases – $150-300. Showcase Plus, “Trade Equipment”;
  • Cash register – $150-250. Orion, Mercury, Elwes-MK.

The total cost of equipment will be $1200.

An important point is to connect the possibility of cashless payment (acquiring), this will increase the number of customers and reduce the risk of encountering scammers. You need to contact the selected bank, where they will formulate the terms of cooperation for you (mainly, the amount of bank commissions) and install a POS terminal. On average, the commission is 1.9-4% of the transaction volume.

The lower the company's turnover, the higher the commission the bank requires. For cooperation, a certain deposit amount is required in the current account.


Step 9: Recruiting staff for the store

For a small grocery or flower shop, two salespeople are enough (the work schedule is “weekly every other week”) and a cleaning lady. A construction or clothing store should hire a sales floor administrator (consultant), a cashier, and a cleaner. It is recommended to outsource accounting to save money.

The most important person is the seller. In addition to the standard qualities of a good employee and sales skills, the employee must be in the right place. Simply put, match the store. For example, lingerie is sold by beautiful women, and building materials are sold by older men and women who inspire confidence with their experience.

The ideal way to stimulate the seller is a percentage of the proceeds. But if you put an employee entirely on a percentage basis in a new place, you can lose him and provoke a high staff turnover.

It is best to form a minimum salary (for example, $200-250) plus a percentage of monthly revenue. Cashiers and cleaners receive a fixed salary.

Step 10: Formation of assortment

This includes product display and interior design of the store. Take the time to learn the basics of merchandising or hire a specialist to do the initial display. Among the general rules are:

  1. The product must be placed conveniently for the visitor, in easily accessible places. Those products that need to be sold first are placed in the most visible place;
  2. Use price tags to stimulate sales. Highlight promotions and discounts in large letters and bright colors. For expensive products, place the price so that you have to look for it and turn the item in your hands, appreciating all its advantages;
  3. Separate things for convenience into categories and mark them with signs or stands;
  4. Interior decoration and atmosphere should be set up to buy certain things. Proper lighting, background music, pleasant smells - all this influences visitors.

Step 11: Security

Ensure the safety of your company. The minimum set of security equipment is an alarm system, a panic button, and a video surveillance camera. Purchase and installation costs start from $200, maintenance costs start from $50 per month.

Step 12: Opening a Store and Advertising

Turn the start of work into a promotion with music, competitions, distribution of gifts and advertising booklets, discounts, etc. Then customers will want to come back to you.

Periodically arrange sales and promotions for customers. Discount cards for regular customers work well. For building materials, clothing, and toys, distribution of printed advertising through mailboxes is suitable.

Create a unique offer and colorfully design your flyers. Printing 5 thousand copies will cost approximately $100.

Step 13: Risk Assessment

Before starting a business, you should evaluate all the risks and benefits. What do you need to know?

pros

  • An established point of sale is a source of stable income. A company in a good location and with a wide range of products will always have customers.
  • If necessary, a trading enterprise can be easily sold as a ready-made business.
  • Quite a simple calculation system.

Minuses

  • Large investments in business and high level of competition.
  • Remains of unsold products that have to be written off or sold at a discount.
  • Seasonality of some types of trade.
  • The risk of losing up to 80% of your investment in the event of an unfortunate turn of events.

Let's consider the features and nuances of opening stores of various types. Based on the previous points, the minimum cost of registering a business, repairs and equipment, rent and advertising is approximately $8 thousand.

Clothing store

Area - from 50 sq. m.

Costs of opening a clothing store

  • Mannequins and busts, torsos (about 10-15 pieces) – approximately $500;
  • Full-length mirror for the sales area – from $50;
  • 2 fitting booths with curtains + 2 mirrors – $200-250;
  • Hangers and racks for clothes -$300-400;
  • Electronic product protection system – $1400;
  • Barcode scanner – $100-150;
  • Printer for printing barcode labels – $400-600;
  • Purchasing things six months in advance – 10-15 thousand dollars.

The total investment in the business will be 20-25 thousand dollars. Markup – from 50-400%.

Important details: large assortment (at least 1000 units), availability of popular sizes, sale of related products and accessories (handbags, wallets, hangers, jewelry, belts, etc.). Regularly hold sales and promotions (“third item free,” “discount on second purchase,” etc.).

Lingerie store

15-25 sq.m. is enough. m. The list of equipment differs from the previous type of outlet only in the type of mannequins. You will need special bust hangers, “hangers”, “legs” for tights and socks, etc. Demonstration of goods on mannequins and torsos works well. You need to invest at least $13,000 in opening.

Good and popular lingerie brands: Incanto, Lormar, Milavitsa, Agent Provocateur, Victoria's Secret, Calzedonia, Passionata, Rosme. The best demand is for products in the mid-price category. It is necessary to create an assortment for women, men and children in order visitors made purchases for the whole family.

Grocery store

Required area – from 30 sq. m. Additional equipment and costs:

  1. 2 Refrigerators – 1100 $;
  2. Shelving for vegetable spreads (vegetable box) – $150;
  3. Product racks- 600 dollars;
  4. Printer for printing barcodes and labels – $400-600.

In total, together with the purchase of goods, capital costs will amount to 13-15 thousand dollars.

A grocery store needs a warehouse to store food. There are also special requirements for such companies.

To obtain a work permit from Rospotrebnadzor, you must comply with the conditions of SanPiN 2.3.5. 021-94— “Sanitary rules for food trade enterprises.” All standards, GOSTs, etc. are spelled out here.

Products must have price tags, weight indications, and a good shelf life. Products with defects are sold separately, with mandatory notification of the defect. Be sure to have scales.

Company employees must have health records, work in a uniform with a hat, have a badge indicating your name and position.

Children's clothing store

Selling clothes for children will require the same opening costs as a regular clothing store. Mannequins need to be purchased for children.

The amount required is around $17,000-20,000. It is important to decide on a price category (the best option is medium), and sort the products by age.

Commission shop

Area 50-60 square meters.

Peculiarities

  • There is no need to look for suppliers, people hand over their things themselves;
  • The size of the company’s commission for the sale of used products is 20-50%;
  • There are no problems with unsold balances. The owner takes back items not sold;
  • It is best to locate a second-hand clothing store in a densely populated residential area;
  • Unlike a clothing salon, you don’t need a lot of expensive mannequins, just a few torsos, busts, and hangers are enough.

To open a thrift store on your own, you will need to spend approximately $9,000-10,000.

Auto parts store

The required room size is from 60 square meters. m. The equipment you will need are counters, racks, and a cash register. The investment amount starts from $12,000, including the purchase of spare parts.

The secrets to the success of this business

  1. It is better to specialize in one or two car brands, but provide spare parts for the entire model range;
  2. Sell ​​accessories (mats, scented keychains, etc.);
  3. Salespeople must be knowledgeable in the device of the car;
  4. Select several suppliers for each product group so as not to keep customers waiting. By collaborating with official dealers, you will increase trust in the company and will be able to officially use the brand logo in your advertising;
  5. Offer a home delivery service.

Flower shop

Area from 20 sq. m. The sales area needs shelving, a table for packaging and arranging compositions, stands and flowerpots for flowers, ideally a refrigerator to maintain the desired temperature.

In addition to flowers, packaging paper, baskets, gift ribbons, bows, transparent cellophane, mesh, felt, and tape are purchased as consumables. Small tools you will need are scissors, wire cutters, a glue gun, and floral knives.

Investments in equipment and the first purchase of cuttings – from $12,000. To begin with, it is worth working with local wholesalers; with good promotion, it is recommended to buy flowers from capital and foreign suppliers.

Nuances:

  • Organize individual sales of flowers and ready-made bouquets and arrangements;
  • Flowers must always be fresh, so you need to learn how to correctly estimate the volume of purchases;
  • Diversify your assortment with gift cards and soft toys;
  • Having created a thematic website, an entrepreneur can start designing custom-made holiday celebrations.

Draft beer store

Required space – from 70 sq. m.

Necessary equipment

  • Racks with taps and beer barrels;
  • Coolants and defoamers;
  • Snack counters.

A complete set will cost approximately $2000. About two thousand more will be needed to purchase 10-15 types of beer, 100 liters each. In total, the opening will cost about $13,000.

Secrets of sales organization: you need an assortment of 10-15 types of drink and the availability of snacks in packages and by weight (crackers, chips, fish, etc.)

Hardware store

Area – from 60-70 sq. m. In addition to standard equipment and counters with shelving, demonstration stands are needed. Warehouse space, packaging and delivery services are required. Capital investments in the enterprise will amount to 16-20 thousand dollars.

Most popular products: finishing materials, tools, paint and varnish products, plumbing. It is best to place a retail outlet in the city center, near major roads and intersections, markets, and shopping centers. The markup on products is 25-40%.

Franchise store

Using a franchise is easier than starting from scratch yourself. Obvious advantages: working with a well-known brand, assistance in the design and advertising of the company. In fact, this is the acquisition of a ready-made enterprise.

Minuses: quite high cost of the franchise, monthly deductions from sales, purchase of products from strictly defined suppliers. The initial payment is 5-10% of the total investment in the business, the monthly royalty is 6-10% of revenue.

The price of a franchise of a well-known brand is rather high, but there are companies that are ready to help you open a business under your own name for a minimal fee. This is done with the aim of deep integration into the market, promotion of certain manufacturers from whom franchisees purchase.

You can open any business with a franchise and make a good profit. The average cost of a small business is around 6-7 thousand dollars.

To open a store on your own requires good investment and legal knowledge or the help of specialists.

In your calculations, always include an amount for unforeseen expenses, never work “back to back” so as not to go broke. The trading enterprise pays for itself in a year or two and begins to generate good income.


There is no shortage of retail food outlets today. In any city, regardless of size, there is a serious struggle for consumers. At the same time, a crisis buyer is no longer a cake. Is it a good idea for a small business to open a grocery store during a crisis? Will a single retailer be able to resist the chains?

 

The situation in retail, including grocery, is not rosy: the crisis has affected everyone, federal and regional chains, stand-alone stores, and markets. To successfully start in this area, you need to take into account a lot: directions for retail development during a crisis, changes in buyer behavior, the prospects of niches, new legislation... Let's try to figure out how to open a grocery store from scratch in 2016 so as not to go broke.

Product Market - 2016

Situation and trends

Retail is stormy. According to the report of the Ministry of Economic Development "On the results of socio-economic development of the Russian Federation in 2015", retail trade turnover in January-December 2015 amounted to 27,575.7 billion rubles, i.e. 90% of the previous year. The decline was recorded in all federal districts, the saddest situation was in Sevastopol (-23.0%), Samara region (-19.1%), Karachay-Cherkess Republic (-18.1%), Chelyabinsk region (-17.3 %). Analysts from the Ministry of Economic Development consider the retail indicators to be the worst since 1970.

In 2015, food products accounted for 48.6% in the structure of retail trade turnover. Conclusion - grocery retail is experiencing the same difficulties as other industry segments. In some regions, food retail suffered even more. Thus, in Bashkortostan, food retail fell by 14.6% over the year, the industry as a whole - by 12%.

* - with excerpts, only indicators affecting the retail market are presented

Source: Ministry of Economic Development report for 2015

The product market is forced to change, and the following trends can be observed:

  • “Hard discounter” format outlets are multiplying;
  • large chains are actively experimenting with formats, occupying traditional small business niches: “At Home” store, “Family” store, etc.;
  • Specialized stores are increasingly in demand: butchers, fishmongers, organic food stores, etc.;
  • optimization of retailers' costs leads to an increase in local assortment;
  • Retailers are introducing online trading as one of their sales channels.

The middle class crisis: the evolution of the buyer

Following the situation in the country, the buyer himself, his mood and behavior in stores are changing. Yes, there are consumer groups that have not been affected by the crisis. However, the grocery trade is based on another pillar - the mass segment represented by the middle class (and it suffered significantly during this crisis).

In 2015, not only did consumer demand fall, the dynamics and structure of consumption changed. “Middle peasants” began to visit grocery stores less often, but to buy more, choosing goods carefully. Consumer trend - we buy more necessary and cheaper things. Another trend is an increase in the promotional activity of buyers: the majority are ready to move around the city in search of bargains.

However, cheapness is not the main criterion for Russians when choosing products. According to a survey by the Romir research holding, more than half of the population values ​​the freshness and quality of food, and people are willing to pay more for this. Over the past three years, a group of “food patriots” has emerged who prefer domestic products. There are fewer and fewer people willing to pay for the fame of brands.

Networks versus singles: do autonomous stores have a chance?

Creating large chains is beyond the capabilities of small businesses: at best, “little ones” manage to promote several geographically close stores, usually in the “Convenience” or minimarket format. The worst situation today is for autonomous establishments with wine and vodka departments, the costs of which have increased following changes in the rules for the sale of alcohol: they have to buy jobs from the Unified State Automated Information System.

Networkers and singles are in different weight categories. During a protracted crisis, it is easier for federal and large regional networks to survive. They have reserves, a better developed logistics system, and more favorable delivery conditions. Large retailers can afford attractive promotions and low prices, that is, they invest in “price marketing.” In addition, many networks have long been developing all possible formats, displacing small businesses from their traditional territories. As a result, large retailers are “killing” stand-alone stores, luring customers with low prices, close proximity, rich assortment, and more comfortable shopping conditions.

Small businesses have little chance of competing with online companies. But they exist. Retail giants have a weak spot: they are inert in terms of assortment, are in no hurry to change large suppliers and push unclaimed low-quality goods off the shelves. At the same time, more and more consumers in the mass segment prefer fresh and organic products and value freshness and quality. Small businesses can take advantage of this.

SMEs in grocery retail: components of success

In the current reality, success for a startup is brought by a combination of factors:

  • geographical proximity to the buyer and simultaneous distance from network points;
  • high-quality and popular assortment;
  • perfect service, customer-facing service.

As for the assortment, this is the cornerstone of success. Depending on the location of the store and its neighboring competitors, you can choose a wide assortment with the presence of fresh and takeaway categories, and specialization in one product group. Sometimes a combination works well: a wide selection of products with an emphasis on a specific category. For example, “only we have farm dairy products” (farm meat or poultry, organic vegetables, “healthy baked goods”, etc.).

Despite the crisis and fierce competition with chains, small shops with a bakery, deli, coffee shop, etc. are also promising. The main thing is the convenience and relevance of the concept.

The question “I want to open a grocery store, where to start” can be answered with advice:

  • first, assess the viability and relevance of the business idea, analyze how well it meets the needs of customers;
  • think about whether you can provide quality service and an original assortment, and how;
  • choose the appropriate format for the concept.

If everything comes together, then go ahead.

Choosing a grocery store format

Retail establishments selling food products, according to GOST R 51773-2009, differ:

  • by type of ownership (private, municipal, unitary, etc.);
  • service format (full or partial self-service, over the counter, etc.);
  • method of organizing trade (network, branded, autonomous);
  • by specialization (universal, specialized, with a combined or mixed range);
  • by type (hyper-, super- or minimarket, grocery store, supermarket, Cash & Carry store, pavilion or “Products” store, “Discounter”, “Fish”, “Fruit and Vegetables” stores, etc.);
  • types of retail facilities (stationary and non-stationary);
  • according to the terms of sale (with or without a sales area).

Not all formats can be opened by small businesses. Among these, for example, are hypermarkets with an area of ​​more than 4,000 sq. m and supermarkets (600 - 5,000 sq. m), i.e. stores with a wide range and a large share of non-food products (30-40%). Let's look at the modern formats available to SMEs.

1 "Convenient store"(convenience store), also known as “Around the corner”, “Next door” and “At home”

This format involves a low share of trade over the counter. Store area - 50-400 sq. m. The assortment includes 1,500 - 3,000 items, up to 60% of which are everyday goods, i.e., products of the weekly consumer basket. The share of non-food products is up to 15%.

There is an opinion that such points should offer both goods and service of average quality. However, following such a tradition during a crisis is a guaranteed failure. For “At Home” stores, it is important to properly arrange the equipment, ensure neat display and quality service, and avoid delays in goods. The best location is residential areas and areas of new buildings.

“Convenient” are today developing in the direction of increasing the range of food to go and the “fresh” category (fresh, not frozen products and products of their own production). Here you can install coffee making machines, equip service areas for selling tickets, paying for services, issuing online orders, and arrange food eating areas. An entrepreneur who chooses this format, depending on the city, will compete with the network projects “Kopeyka”, “Perekrestok Express”, “Dixie”, “Every Day”, etc.

2 Health food store(eco-products)

Refers to specialized stores with a small assortment, but with great depth. Trade in one group of goods is possible: dairy products, meat, honey. Retail area - 18-200 sq.m. m. The markup is usually higher than for analogues in non-specialized stores. The remaining parameters (location, required traffic, share of trade through the counter) are not decisive, but are determined only by the characteristics of the profile product.

By the way, about a unique product. If the store also sells everyday products, then when laying out and placing the emphasis should be on core products: allocate central shelves for them, display them at eye level, etc.

Some figures for the well-known Moscow chain of farm dairy products “Izbenka”. To trade 70 items, 15-20 sq.m. is enough. m area. Opening one point requires 150,000 - 200,000 rubles. investments. The main problem of business is to find several reliable suppliers to ensure stability of price and quality of products in retail outlets.

Eco-product stores are relevant in large cities, where the economically active population is not burdened with their own gardening and vegetable gardening. In settlements of up to 100 thousand people, the prefix “eco” is perceived as pampering. People in such cities have somewhere to spend their money besides organic carrots.

3 Shop with mini-bakery (cooking)

Essentially, this is the format of “Near Dom” or “Traffic” stores located at traffic intersections, but with its own bakery production. The assortment may be limited to baked goods itself, or may include everyday goods. It is important to remember that in addition to administrative, warehouse and retail premises, production space will be required (by law, they cannot be located everywhere).

How to choose premises, equipment and complete all documents for the bakery.

What is the advantage of the U Doma bakery? Bread, buns, pies are baked in small batches. You can quickly change the assortment, respond to customer requests, and focus on “healthy bread” and interesting additives. This store format involves selling drinks, organizing places to consume baked goods, and installing a coffee machine.

How to open a grocery store

Brainstorm

Competition in retail is enormous; proper business planning is half the success. Decide on the format and location of the store, find several suitable premises options, and begin lease negotiations. Make a business plan, make several options: optimistic, realistic and pessimistic.

Registration

It is better to register a grocery store in the form of an individual entrepreneur or LLC. Please note that individual entrepreneurs cannot sell strong alcohol (only beer and beer drinks). Therefore, LLC is the choice of those who plan to organize a wine and vodka department at a retail outlet. Select OKVED codes provided for retail trade in food products from groups 52.1 - 52.27.

Decide on the taxation system; for retail trade, the following are optimal:

  • patent - only for individual entrepreneurs with a sales area of ​​no more than 50 sq. m;
  • UTII - for LLCs and individual entrepreneurs, if the area of ​​the trading floor of the pavilion/store is up to 150 sq. m;
  • The simplified tax system “income minus expenses” can be used by LLCs and individual entrepreneurs without restrictions on retail space.

The first two systems are introduced in the regions by the laws of the constituent entities of the Russian Federation, and therefore are not available throughout the entire territory of the Russian Federation. The simplified tax system is applied throughout the country without restrictions.

Selection of premises and renovation

When looking for premises for a store, you should focus on the area and location required for the chosen format. In addition, food retail outlets must comply with the rules of the Ministry of Emergency Situations and SES, this must be taken into account.

For example, fish and vegetable stores cannot be located in residential buildings, as well as attached/built-in premises. There are requirements for the organization of an additional exit for evacuation in case of fire, the inadmissibility of counter flows of customers and personnel, etc. It is easier to take all these points into account at the stage of selecting a premises, its redevelopment and renovation.

Obtaining permits and approvals

Entrepreneurs today are legally protected from excessive control by supervisory authorities and are spared from many approval and licensing procedures. A clear knowledge of your rights and responsibilities comes in handy in the event of bureaucratic “excesses on the ground.”

  • Law N294-FZ of December 26, 2008 “On the protection of the rights of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs in the exercise of state control (supervision) and municipal control.” Let's go through the key points.

    Entrepreneurs in certain types of activities must notify supervisory authorities about the start of their work. Conclusions from control authorities for starting activities (SES, Ministry of Emergency Situations, etc.) are licensing requirements established for specific types of business. If the activity does not require obtaining a license, then conclusions are not needed. The conduct of scheduled and unscheduled inspections is strictly regulated for the period 2016-2018. Supervisory holidays have been established for small businesses (Article 26.1.).

  • Resolution No. 584 of July 16, 2009 “On the notification procedure for starting certain types of business activities.” The document lists the types of activities for which notifications must be submitted, and establishes the procedure for submitting notifications.

From the above regulations it follows that retail trade in products is not a licensed activity (except for the sale of alcohol), therefore the store owner:

  • after registration with the Federal Tax Service, but before starting activities, notifies Rospotrebnadzor (you need to send a standard form);
  • should not receive conclusions from the SES and the Ministry of Emergency Situations.

Retail sale of alcohol according to Law No. 171-FZ of November 22, 1995 is possible only for legal entities and only on the basis of a license. The list of licensing requirements is impressive, from the size of the authorized capital to 1 million rubles. (set by regional authorities) until the availability of technical means for transmitting information to the Unified State Automated Information System. But conclusions from the SES and the Ministry of Emergency Situations are not required to obtain an alcohol license. Individual entrepreneurs can only sell beer and beer drinks, but without a license.

Despite the fact that it is not necessary to obtain conclusions for a grocery store, the retail outlet must comply with fire safety rules and sanitary standards.

At the time of opening, the store must be equipped with a fire alarm and fire extinguishers, have separate emergency exits, and meet other requirements. Familiarize yourself with the regulatory framework regarding fire safety and the requirements of the Ministry of Emergency Situations for retail facilities.

Regarding the requirements of the SES. You need to focus on SP 2.3.6.1066-01 “Sanitary and epidemiological requirements for trade organizations and the circulation of food raw materials and food products in them.” The main provisions of the document concern the placement and arrangement of retail outlets, their water supply, ventilation and heating, issues of reception, storage and sale of products, sanitary and hygienic rules for personnel, etc.

There are many rules and requirements, but the vast majority of them are based on common sense and are aimed at protecting the life and health of customers and store employees.

Formation of assortment, selection of suppliers

Find out exactly who your client is:

  • people purchasing goods for immediate consumption (students, schoolchildren, young people who prefer ready-made food);
  • purchasing groceries once a week in hypermarkets and coming to the U Doma store for perishable goods (fruit, milk, bread);
  • buyers who do all their shopping close to home and do not have a car or time for long shopping trips.

Form an assortment based on the share of which clients will prevail among buyers. Don’t overload your shelves with goods, don’t compete with hypermarkets for the breadth of assortment. Be flexible, analyze sales, survey customers, replace poorly selling items. Find your unique product category.

The main thing when choosing suppliers is that you must receive a product of satisfactory quality, price and range. Interact not only with wholesale centers and small wholesale organizations (read: intermediaries), but also contact direct suppliers and manufacturers. This way you can get a larger markup and choose what you really need for your store concept.

Selection of commercial equipment

A grocery store will require universal commercial equipment: cash registers, lighting, ventilation, air conditioning and heating systems, scales, terminals for card payments.

In addition, you need to select equipment depending on the range, size and layout of the room:

  • shelving for sales floors and warehouses;
  • packaging equipment, refrigeration and freezing (display cases, chests, chambers).

The refrigeration system in a grocery store is the main consumer of electricity and a significant expense item. Therefore, when choosing, pay attention not only to ergonomics, functionality and price, but also energy efficiency.

Hiring staff. Advertising and promotion

At the final stage, it is necessary to hire employees: salespeople, administrators, accountants - everyone who is necessary for the effective functioning of the chosen concept. The main thing to remember is that sellers are the people in direct contact with buyers. Their task is an attentive and friendly attitude towards the client, fast and high-quality service.