How To Start a Retail Business: The Ultimate Guide

According to the National Retail Federation, the total number of retail locations in the U.S. has increased while eCommerce has grown by more than 70 percent over the past three years. Physical locations remain vital for the industry, especially since a significant volume of eCommerce orders are completed through retail stores.

In addition, in July of 2023, retail sales reached a record high of over $696 billion.

And it doesn’t stop there. This growth is expected to continue through 2023, with another 4-6% increase in sales over 2022. As you can see, the retail space is booming like never before, and there is room for anyone willing to open a retail business.

But first, you should understand how to start a retail business. If that’s what you’re here for, we’ve got you covered. This step-by-step guide will help you understand everything you need to know about starting a retail business.

Learn 96 Important Retail Terms: The Complete Retail Dictionary

How to Start a Retail Business in 8 Steps

1. Find The Perfect Niche
2. Write a Business Plan
3. Business Registration
4. Get Your  Business Licenses, Permits, and Insurance
5. Find a Retail Location
6. Choose and Manage Retail Suppliers
7. Hire and Train Your Staff
8. Invest in a solid Retail POS System

Starting a retail business takes time and planning. The following eight tips will help you know how to start a retail business and the factors to consider. Let’s get started. 

Find the Perfect Niche for Your Retail Business

First, starting a retail business comes down to determining your niche and the type of business you want to establish. You should clearly know the type of business you want to start. Otherwise, if you still don’t know what niche to invest in and how to choose the most profitable retail business, here’s how you can proceed.

Determine what you like doing the most

Find out what hobby or activity you’re most passionate about and can do without getting bored. Think about what skills come naturally to you. Are you often asked by your friends, family, or colleagues for a particular activity? What subjects do you enjoy learning about? 

The answers to these questions will give you ideas for what kind of business you would like to start. If, for example, you love baking, and your friends or family members ask you to make their birthday cakes or any baked products, then you may want to consider opening and running bakery. 

Analyze the profitability of your business’s niche

Finding a niche for your business is one thing. Making sure that niche is profitable is quite another. At the end of the day, you want to make money with your retail business. Generally, when the niche you choose has no competitors, it means there is either very little demand for the product you want to offer or none at all.

If, for instance, you’re considering opening a coffee shop, make sure the location you’ve chosen is suitable for this type of business, and there will be a strong demand for the product. To start an online retail business, you can use a freemium version of tools like Ubersugest and Semrush to determine the product’s search volume to sell. These data will give you an idea of the demand for a product and how profitable your business’s niche is. 

Research the competition

Once you’ve found the right niche for your retail business, you must know your competitors. Determine how they market and sell their products. Learn as much as you can about their product, marketing, and sales strategy to improve what they have to offer.

Here are some of the most popular retail businesses:

Grocery retail store

A grocery store is a retail store that sells food and household items. It is one of the most profitable retail businesses. The products sold in a grocery store are everyday items, meaning demand will always be obvious.

Moreover, opening such a business does not require special skills; the investment is also moderate. The location is one of the most important aspects of opening a grocery store. You can open it in any residential area.

To make a grocery store more profitable, you can also build a website and sell groceries online. This could become one of the best online retail ideas. You will serve not only the surrounding customers but also the online ones.

Barbershop

A barbershop is a lucrative business if you know how to go about it. It requires particularly the mastery of specific skills, knowledge, and experience.

Coffee Shop

The coffee industry has snowballed in recent years. You can start a coffee shop business with moderate capital investment if you are a coffee enthusiast and professional, otherwise known as a barista. Ideally, you need to open a coffee shop in a location with a lot of foot traffic to make your business a success.

Gardening retail business

Starting a retail gardening business requires enough time and creativity. The exciting part of a retail gardening business is starting it from home. You can then offer your services to local customers for any floral need, including planning, design, delivery, installation, and waste removal.

Other retail businesses you can start include:

Write a Business Plan

To successfully start a retail business, you need to develop a business plan to understand the structure and priorities of your business. Ask yourself the following questions to determine the key points to include in your business plan that will make your business stand out:

• What types of products will you sell? Why do you want to sell these products? In other words, are you serving a specific need or a demand? 
• What data do you have that proves there is a demand or need? What are the sources of this data? Are they reliable?
• What type of business location do you want to open? A brick-and-mortar location, an eCommerce store, a home-based business, a mobile business, or you will adopt an omnichannel sales approach.
• Who is your target market? What qualitative or quantitative data do you have? How will you reach your audience? 
• What will be unique about your retail business regarding products or services? What do your competitors do? Is there a business similar to yours not far from you?
• When do you set your break-even point?
• How will you stock up? Who are your suppliers? 
• How long do you need to make a profit?
• How much money will you need to start the business? How much do you need to sustain the business after start-up?

Remember that a business plan can be readjusted at any time based on certain unforeseen circumstances or other aspects you did not consider initially. Your business plan should be considered a work in progress that you will continually shape as your business evolves.  Here are some key aspects to include in your business plan.

Marketing strategy

It’s common to find that retail store owners often neglect marketing when creating a business plan for opening a business. Establishing a solid marketing strategy is the backbone of your business.

A marketing strategy helps you be creative and find ways to develop your customer base and brand values. There are many ways to market your product. You can sell your business through social networks and use channels like Facebook, Instagram, Tiktok, etc.

You also have the option to try online advertisements or blog posts. You can use Yelp or Google My Business to profile your business to increase your chances of visibility.

Choose the marketing strategies that work best for your business, and try as many as possible until you find what helps you grow. In addition, keeping up with the current industry trends will ensure that you are up to date with the latest in marketing. 

Financial forecasts for the retail business

A business plan should include the most obvious expenses you will incur and a financial forecast to estimate your income. 

Rent

In high-traffic areas or popular neighborhoods, the rent is usually more expensive. Rent is an amount you will pay monthly based on the space’s square footage and the physical location’s real estate value. So, in addition to the initial cost of the physical location, renovations, and other related expenses, consider the rent for your store. 

Merchandise

There are two elements to consider when it comes to merchandise costs: the initial cost of your merchandise (i.e., the purchase price) and the holding price or inventory cost. Once you have these initial inventory costs, it is possible to forecast the monthly costs affecting your ongoing budget.

Employee costs

Even if you run your retail business alone initially, you must hire employees to manage the daily operations as your business grows. In addition to employee salaries and other benefits, you should also consider the cost of training and, in some cases, travel if you are a franchisee.

Technology

To run your business efficiently, you need to choose the right technology and equipment from the start. Opening a retail business involves using a POS system to help manage your inventory, payroll, process transactions within your store, etc. It is recommended to find a POS system designed specifically for retail.

Aside from a point of sale system, you should also invest in a security system, such as purchasing cameras and other security devices to protect the products from theft, burglary, and other related crimes.

If you were wondering how to start a retail business without spending money, you’d find it hard. According to estimates, a small retail shop costs between $50000 and $100000. Remember that the list in the financial forecast is not all-inclusive and that there are other expenses such as utilities, retail accounting software, business insurance, merchandising equipment, and more.

Business Registration

Knowing how to register a business is crucial in learning how to start a retail business. Before registering your business, you must first find a name for the company and then choose the type of legal structure that is right for you. 

Find a name for your business and trademark it

The name of your business is what sets you apart from other retail companies similar to yours. Choosing a name that reminds consumers of the products/services you offer and reflects your business’s purpose and brand identity is advisable. You can also perform a preliminary search in the Patent Office’s electronic trademark search system to find existing trademarks similar to your desired name, logo, or trademark.

Once this check is done, prepare and submit your trademark application. Trademarking your business will save you from costly legal disputes down the line.

This process can take 12 to 18 months if you encounter any discrepancies. Therefore, starting the process a little earlier before you open your business is advisable. You should also expect to pay between $200 and $600 in fees.

Decide on your legal structure and register your business

Now that you have named your business and trademarked your business name, it is time to register it. To register your business, you must first determine its legal structure. There are several types of legal structures for businesses. You can register as a sole proprietorship, an LLC (Limited Liability Company), or a corporation.

The structure you choose will be a determining factor in how you are taxed. It will also determine the degree of legal protection you have, the ownership structure of your business, and your ability to receive funds. You should contact an attorney to assist you in this process.

PS: You can start your retail business as a sole proprietorship. This is the most straightforward legal structure to establish. However, you must change your business model if you want to access loans or other alternative financing. Generally, an LLC or a corporation is the best alternative to make your business more attractive to investors or lenders.

Go to the IRS website and apply for an Employer Identification Number to register your company. The process is done online. The EIN is a nine-digit number assigned to your company. It is like your company’s social security number. It allows the federal government to identify you for tax purposes. You will need it when applying for a business loan or a business account.

Get Your  Business Licenses, Permits, and Insurance

Before you open a retail business, you must ensure your business has the necessary licenses and permits for the company. In some states, you will only need a general license. However, in other states, you must obtain industry-specific licenses and permits. To find out what licenses and permits you need before opening your retail business, check your county or city clerk’s website for their specific requirements. 

Another vital resource regarding licenses and permits that anyone learning how to start a retail business should know about is the SBA website. The US Small Business Administration is a great place to learn more about each state’s licensing and permit requirements. There are also several other small business blogs that can help you if you have questions.

You’ll need professional licenses, liquor licenses, zoning permits, home occupation permits, DBA licenses, and commercial sign permits. Again, consult with an attorney to assist you in this process. 

In addition to permits and licenses, you will need business insurance. The types of insurance you will need as a retailer are a business owner’s policy, general liability insurance, and workers’ comp/unemployment insurance. However, there are many other optional additional forms of insurance that your business may benefit from.

Find a Retail Location

In the retail space, finding the right location is, without a doubt, one of the most important decisions you’ll make when starting your business. Your business location depends mainly on four factors: the type of products you want to sell, your target market and its demographics, the location costs, and the foot traffic. 

Your marketing efforts will be rewarded if you set your business location in a high-traffic area. However, a poor choice of location will cost you your investment and efforts. 

Remember that the right location depends heavily on your target audience and the locations in which it is located. 

For example, suppose you are opening a boutique selling luxury jewelry. In that case, it is ideal to set up in a business district with plenty of foot traffic from consumers who can afford high-end products.

The choice of location will also depend on your budget because you will have to renovate the sales site, pay rent, down payment, and many other expenses. Great locations, of course, come at a premium price. A good location should also accommodate a restroom for your staff, dressing rooms, inventory storage area, and parking for your customers and employees. 

Further reading

There are several other aspects to consider when choosing a location for your retail business. We share with you some tried-and-tested tips on How to Find a Good Business Location.

Setup an eCommerce store

Even if you have found the right location for your brick-and-mortar store, opening an online store is essential to give your retail business more visibility. Building an eCommerce site is an easy process. In addition to expanding your sales field, having an eCommerce site will help you find suppliers from whom you can buy wholesale to get a better margin on your purchases. Platforms like Shopify, Woocommerce, Magento, and Squarespace are great.

Choose and Manage Retail Suppliers

The next step in learning how to start a retail business is choosing the suppliers and vendors you will work with. While the location of your business is the most crucial aspect of a successful retail business, the type of vendors and the relationship you have with them impact everything from the quality of the products to the efficiency with which they arrive at your store.

There are three aspects to consider when choosing your suppliers: 

• The product’s quality
• The cost of the products
• The reputation of the supplier

You will not want to work with a lousy reputation supplier. All three factors affect how your customers perceive your brand and your results.

• Set a supplier budget. This budget should include the wholesale price of your product and shipping and delivery costs. Find a supplier who can give you a good margin on your purchases. 
• Ask your suppliers for samples of the products you wish to purchase. This will allow you to appreciate the quality of the product instead of trying to determine it from pictures.
• Product quality is not the only thing to look for in a supplier. The reputation of the supplier is also important. You need a reliable partner. Imagine that you order products that must be delivered in a week. The supplier fails to do this, and you run out of stock even though the product is a necessity and its demand is increasing. You will incur losses, and this is a scenario you should avoid. Ask several retailers about a supplier’s reputation and ensure you can trust them. 
• Try to get in touch with several suppliers. This is the golden rule. Relying on one or two suppliers can put you at risk. Also, consult a lawyer to help you find the best possible contract. 

Hire and Train Your Staff

After you open your retail business and buy your products from your suppliers, you must hire people to help you run your business. Make sure you hire people with the right attitude and experience. You want to make sure you choose employees who are kind, friendly, trustworthy, and ready to make the customer’s experience in your store unforgettable.

Also, make sure you understand your state’s requirements as an employer. Some states require certain types of insurance for your staff. There are also specific steps to consider, such as reporting new hires, setting up a payroll withholding account, etc.  You should also train your employees to use point of sale software and inventory management. 

Invest in a solid Retail POS System

Starting a retail business without a POS system is like taking a child to school without school supplies. The use of a POS system will be at the heart of your retail business and will greatly help your employees as long as you choose a model that is intuitive, easy to use, and tailored specifically to the business. Learning how to start a retail business is also learning how to choose the best technology tools that will be useful for your business. 

A POS system combines hardware and software that allows you to accept and process transactions within your store. A solid POS system must be cloud-based, meaning you can track sales and other transactions in real-time while not in your store. 

Most software comes with valuable features such as inventory management, retail employee time tracking, cashier register permissions and reports, credit card processing agnostic, CRM and email marketing tools, EMV and mobile payment integration, sales reports, and supplier tracking, and many more. 

Your retail store will need a retail POS system with technology capable of accepting cash, checks, contactless payments, and chip or swipe cards. For example, KORONA POS software lets you choose any payment processor to process your transactions securely. The system also includes computers with a customer-facing screen to improve checkout and simplify your staff’s job. You will need a barcode scanner, receipt printer, and cash drawer.

If you want to offer better service to your customers, opt for more flexibility with a point of sale system that supports on-the-go payments. For example, KORONA POS has mobile card readers connected to your tablet or smartphone, allowing you to accept payments wherever you are.