At one time, spices and spices were considered so expensive and rare luxury that they were used for payment or exchange. Of course, today their value is not so high. However, a spice business can be truly lucrative. Therefore, many novice businessmen are interested in questions about what documents are needed to open a outlet, as well as what are the specifics of such sales.
Is spice business profitable?
A few decades ago, the range of spices in the kitchen of the hostess was reduced to salt and pepper. Today, in the post-Soviet countries, the volume of knowledge about spices has increased significantly. They are used almost everywhere.
Indeed, in big and small cities sushi bars and other establishments offering oriental dishes are constantly opening. In addition, a variety of culinary programs and shows are broadcast on TV, revealing all the secrets of famous chefs of Eastern, Mediterranean and European cuisine.
And if the inhabitants of some countries do not imagine their daily table without spices, then in our country their popularity is only beginning to grow. That is why the spice business can become truly profitable. According to studies, its profitability is 100%. You just need to have a small start-up capital and the right approach to creating and developing your own business.
What documents are needed to open a store?
Of course, if you are going to open a spice and seasoning store, then you are primarily interested in a package of official documents.
First you need to get registered with the tax service. You can register as an individual entrepreneur or create a limited liability company (this is beneficial if you intend to cooperate with large companies, open new points of sale or are not the only owner of the store).
A sale license is not required in this case. On the other hand, to start trading, you will need a permit from the sanitary and epidemiological station (checking the premises and storage conditions of products).
Where to rent a room?
Of course, the location of your business is of great importance. Spices and seasonings - this is what people in most cases buy with food. Therefore, the best option for the location of the store is a shopping center or a supermarket where buyers can come to you along the way.
In addition, you can rent a room near the same supermarkets or shopping centers. It will be beneficial to open a shop in the market or near a large grocery store.
Spice and seasoning shop: how to make out?
If you have already rented a room, then you are probably interested in the question of how to arrange it. Do not forget that delicious food is usually associated with comfort, so do everything to create a calm, relaxing atmosphere for customers. And since most people associate spicy smells with the East, you can add a little appropriate color to the design.
Create optimal lighting, decorate the walls with photos of spices and plants, arrange several pots of plants in the room.You can arrange several stands by posting information on the most popular spices on them, grouping them by country or describe the dishes in the preparation of which they are used.
Do not forget about the shelves and racks that you will definitely need in order to display the goods. It's no secret that in the eastern markets spices are sold in open trays. Of course, you can place several of these trays so that customers can better see or smell the future purchase. But these spices will quickly erode.
The bulk of the goods should be stored in hermetically sealed glass jars or plastic containers - this increases the shelf life to almost two years. You can buy additional equipment, for example, for grinding peas, peppers, etc.
In most cases, spices are sold in plastic bags at 5-10 grams - this is a standard portion. But you can also offer customers to buy a smaller amount, especially in cases where they have never used such a seasoning. This will help create a trusting and warm relationship with customers. But do not forget that in this case you will also need ultra-precise scales.
Where to get the goods and how to sell it?
In fact, in your city or area, most likely, there is a wholesale supplier of spices - it is convenient to buy from such companies, as they have excellent trade relations with manufacturing countries and there are documents confirming the quality of the goods. By the way, some spices can be grown independently - this does not require much space, even ordinary pots for ornamental plants are suitable. Of course, it will take much longer.
If you are interested in how to open a spice and seasoning store, then you should know that the profit will depend primarily on how much customers will like your store. You and all the working staff (if any) should know everything about their product: in which country they grow it, what dishes are used for cooking, how to store it properly, etc. And you should readily share this information with customers.
By the way, if it comes to dishes, you can hire a person who will make various mixes of spices with his own hands. If the famous chef talks about some mysterious secret of cooking, then in most cases he means exactly a unique combination of spices.
Try to provide a similar advantage to your customers. Create several universal mixes for different types of meat, desserts, fish, salads, etc. You can offer the service of creating a unique combination of individual orders.
It's no secret that spices not only have a unique taste and aroma, but also have medicinal properties. This data is also worth exploring. It will probably be useful for customers to hear that ginger, for example, has a positive effect on the immune system, and red hot peppers activate metabolic processes.
You can also prepare a real recipe book that details the preparation of an exotic dish and describes the proper use of seasonings. It will also help your business grow.
We hire workers
Of course, if you open a small shop and have the opportunity to devote a lot of time to it, then at first you can work there on your own. But as your business grows, you will probably need an experienced seller, as well as a person who can competently mix spices.
A spice business can be truly profitable, but only if customers like your store. Of course, the quality of the goods will determine the success of the enterprise. But do not forget about the courteous treatment of customers, especially if there are competitors in your city (or region).
That is why it is worth accepting only outgoing and pleasant employees. In addition, each of your seller should know all the available information about a particular type of spices to help the buyer make a choice.
Also, if you are not going to bookkeeping on your own, you should hire an accountant (not necessarily full time).
A few ideas for extra income
Selling spices as a business can be very profitable. But with some coups, your store will become more profitable.
You can sell not only spices. Over time, the range of products should be significantly expanded. For example, in your store, customers can buy not only seasonings, but also medicinal herbs. If dried plants are stored under optimal conditions, they can remain suitable for a long time. And in the summer you can sell fresh herbs, for example, basil, dill, parsley, spinach. Such a trade may not be very profitable, since it is a quickly perishable product, so here you need to look at the situation.
Another idea for expanding the range is vegetable oils. For example, wheat germ oil, grape seed, and linseed oil are likely to be successful.
As your business expands, you can take a small corner in your store to sell various types of tea - here customers will have the opportunity to review the product and enjoy its flavor.
Advertising is the engine of progress
According to statistics, highly specialized trade may become the most profitable business, but only with the right approach. As already mentioned, the quality of goods and services are mandatory. But buyers can also be lured through advertising. Therefore, do not forget about the beautiful signboard, flyers, and, possibly, the website.
From time to time arrange promotions, sales. Various free tastings are popular, where customers are offered to try the dish, after which they will probably want to find out the recipe and will get the necessary spices from you. And, of course, your store will become more popular if you offer customers discounts.
