Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Would you open a shop? Should I?

133 replies

Lilyofthefields · 31/07/2019 08:30

Just that really.

I have an idea and a place in mind but I don't even know what questions I should be asking, let alone the answers.

I have zero experience of running a shop or business, although I briefly worked part time in a petrol station / village shop back in the 90s. I don't really know where to start.

I am 39, work part time for £42k, have no kids, no mortgage and no purpose in life.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lilyofthefields · 31/07/2019 08:58

What is it that makes you think a retail business would bring you purpose in life?

I think because it's something I've had in my head for a while. The scoop shop is such a great idea - low cost, less impact on the environment and I get energised at how badly they were executed - dusty, depressing places. And how so much better they could be done. And I like organisation and storage Blush. And I've got a good eye for customer service and adding value.

OP posts:
CitadelsofScience · 31/07/2019 08:58

You'd have to have a bomb proof business plan and really, really know your market.

All small businesses near me that haven't done the research in to local competition are gone in under a year.

cottonwoolsnowmen · 31/07/2019 08:58

The big name supermarkets are moving into offering that now, though. Waitrose, I think, are already piloting something that sounds identical, so by the time you were in a position to get off the ground the chains could be well established.

It sounds a lovely idea, but I think you'd struggle to compete or make a success of it. You also wouldn't have the purchasing power to offer the kinds of prices people would expect either.

lyralalala · 31/07/2019 08:59

Ok, so I'm thinking of a modern take on the old "scoop shops" we had back in the day. Ultra-clean, no dusty bins on the floor, low-plastic ethos, bring your own container...
The high street I'm thinking of has a high student population, growing East Europe community and is a fairly low socio-economic region.

Will you be able to compete price wise with supermarket own brand prices?

People who can might be willing to pay a bit more for low plastic options, but students and skint folk are more likely to be buying to budget than ideal preference surely?

Ijustwanttoretire · 31/07/2019 08:59

Just read what you want to do - there was one in the town near where I live and it has just closed - lasted a while though - about 4 years ish? I think the issue is with this is that people are generally lazy - they go to a supermarket and grab everything - so unless you can compete price wise you may struggle.

SpottedGingham · 31/07/2019 08:59

have zero experience of running a shop or business, although I briefly worked part time in a petrol station / village shop back in the 90s. I don't really know where to start

Well, my advice is, don't. Too many bricks and mortar shops close because of increasing business rates, competition opening up nearby, unseen costs in renting business premises, staff costs, shortages, etc. Etc. Etc.

Nice to dream about having a little shop but the reality can be a nasty shock. Especially when you have no real experience.

Stick with your part time job at £42k.

That's almost £25k pa more than a lot of people working full time on NMW.

ShinyMe · 31/07/2019 09:00

Plus, if you're hoping people will buy in large quantities then they need parking - passing trade won't have containers on them, and pedestrians with containers can't carry large amounts. And then people who do buy large amounts won't come back for more for ages, so it's not a regular income.

Original poster
Lilyofthefields · 31/07/2019 09:01

@Suitcasecoveredincathair "zero waste" shops has replaced the weigh / scoop labelling and it seems to be a growing interest. I've watched Waitrose dip its toes in the market with interest.

@Ijustwanttoretire me too! I know what you mean about the shops that come and go - tends to be alternative lifestyle / witch stuff that baffles me the most.

OP posts:
SinkGirl · 31/07/2019 09:02

I’ve seen something similar in Manchester but they have a van that goes round rather than a shop, like an ice cream van. Lower overheads, going to customers etc - could then be done around your PT job until established?

cottonwoolsnowmen · 31/07/2019 09:02

Nothing wrong with liking organisation and storage Smile Maybe you could go into consultancy and help messy, chaotic people sort their homes/lives/etc out so they can live better, less stressed lives?

Original poster
Lilyofthefields · 31/07/2019 09:02

Will you be able to compete price wise with supermarket own brand prices?

That's a good point, and the answer is probably 'no'. Lidl would be strong, local competition.

OP posts:
Suitcasecoveredincathair · 31/07/2019 09:03

Images of the one in Utrecht, not dusty and dirty at all. tinyurl.com/y39zdwth

I believe it lasted six months Sad

TooTrueToBeGood · 31/07/2019 09:03

The scoop shop is such a great idea - low cost, less impact on the environment and I get energised at how badly they were executed - dusty, depressing places.

It will not be low cost. There is no way you can compete on price with the large chains. You will require customers who are prepared to pay a premium for ethical reasons and it doesn't sound like the area you are thinking of will have people who can afford to in sufficient numbers.

Original poster
Lilyofthefields · 31/07/2019 09:05

Thanks @cottonwoolsnowmen it's not something people around here would/could pay for Smile

@SinkGirl that's an option I've considered, people start with vans and stalls, but that doesn't appeal in the same way. However, it's not something I would dismiss out of hand, because there are benefits as you say.

OP posts:
Original poster
Lilyofthefields · 31/07/2019 09:07

Images of the one in Utrecht, not dusty and dirty at all.

Absolutely, there are some gorgeous, glossy photos out there of pretty hip shops. The initial investment must be huge. I'd be a bit more Body Shop circa 1979.

OP posts:
lyralalala · 31/07/2019 09:08

That's a good point, and the answer is probably 'no'. Lidl would be strong, local competition.

Then it’s unlikely to be sustainable.

Stick it in the middle of a posh high street, good advertising etc and it could be popular for a while, but people who don’t have wiggle room in their budgets don’t have options.

Especially if you wouldn’t have parking so they wouldn’t even be able to make it work by buying in big bulk.

Original poster
Lilyofthefields · 31/07/2019 09:08

It will not be low cost. There is no way you can compete on price with the large chains

This is looking like the crux of the matter. My local community would not have the luxury of paying for ethical shopping. If I move out to the suburbs, then the business costs increase.

OP posts:
livingthegoodlife · 31/07/2019 09:10

Would you hire staff? What would happen if you ever want to go away on holiday not are ill? You'll be tied to it.

Also, food products expire. You need to calculate wastage.

TheFridgeRaider · 31/07/2019 09:10

It can work if you are in a right place and have the right knowledge. But if you are not in a right place...

Do you have a business support organisation there? Like Prince's trust but for people over 30?
Find them and speak with them.

lyralalala · 31/07/2019 09:11

Without wanting to sound rude whenever a new style business opens on our high street there is usually a reason there isn’t already one there, and those reasons mean they don’t usually last.

Bellasblankexpression · 31/07/2019 09:13

I’m not sure your demographic sounds like it would be suited to this business.
Have you worked out how much you can get supplies for and how much you can reasonably price them up for?
Have you worked out how much initial outlay you’d need for everything including to do up the unit you go for, and advertising, signage etc.
Setting up WiFi and paypoints.
Making sure everything complies with health and safety.

Would you need to employ anyone else? Do you know how to set up your own company?

If you answer no to these questions I really don’t think you should consider doing this anytime soon. Write up a business plan, work out everything you need to do and do research but maybe leave it until the economy is a little more certain (if that happens!).
It’s great to have a dream but you’d be mad to just go for it without doing a LOT of research and ensuring you understand everything about setting up a business and the implications.

grumiosmum · 31/07/2019 09:13

You must assess the market properly. We have one of those shops in our local town, it seems to be popular but we are in a very, very affluent area with a lot of upmarket shops on the High St (and a Waitrose).

Not sure how long it will last when the novelty wears off.

You need a proper business plan and take a very good look at the demographics.

Snog · 31/07/2019 09:14

If you are already part time I would find an absorbing hobby or do some volunteering.

MollyButton · 31/07/2019 09:14

I'd suggest you hunt out your local Business Link and get some advice.

GrasswillbeGreener · 31/07/2019 09:15

I think you need to look around for markets locally, check if they already have groups offering this, work out whether you could set up to work at a market one or two days a week around your part-time job. That will get you started with suppliers and systems and getting known. Only at that point would I look to invest in setting up a physical shop.

We've got that sort of thing operating where I am - happy to pass information on if you are interested just PM me.