A factory shop, factory outlet or outlet store is a physical or online shop in which manufacturers sell their stock directly to the public. A factory shop business is the process of running your own shop where customers could buy goods and products directly from the manufacturer – usually at a discount. Factory shops sell various different types of products from reject and damaged goods as well as excess and end of range products that have […]
A convenience store or corner shop is a small retail business that stocks a range of everyday items such as coffee, tea, groceries, snack foods, confectionery, soft drinks, tobacco products, over-the-counter drugs, toiletries, newspapers, and magazines etc. This is probably the most common types of retail businesses in South Africa and is usually found in densely populated neighbourhoods. This is also a stable and consistent business that is not very volatile if you get the […]
If you’ve ever wondered where the cheapest shop space is (outside of using your house), the answer lies in municipal markets or trading areas. This is a great place to start if you cannot afford traditional shop rental. I don’t know why more South Africans don’t take advantage of this, considering the price is around R50 – R100 per month on average, many South Africans don’t want to start on the ground floor and instead […]
These days you can write an entire book without a pen or paper using your laptop, but when it comes to other activities like running a business or going to school, using different stationery products is a requirement. Getting Started Before you even start finding manufacturers, you have to decide on a business model. Are you going with a retail shop or online. Or are you going to open a stall in a flea market, […]
Bicycles are popular in South Africa which creates a need for bikes and related products and services. While we certainly don’t have a shortage of bike shops in SA, the key to this business is the right location. Opportunity People use bicycles for various purposes for recreation, transport. A bicycle like any vehicle needs to be serviced, parts need to be replaced and eventually if the rider requires it to be upgraded to a newer […]
A timber & joinery company supplies timber and joinery to use for various purposes. Joinery from doors to door frames, arches, window frames as well as timber mouldings: standard, meranti, pine as well as custom made timber and joinery. Value proposition A timber and joinery supplier supplies materials for both new houses and renovations. This is a retail business, where you buy from manufacturers and trade suppliers and sell to the end user. This allows […]
A safety wear company sells safety and protective clothing such as overalls, steel toe shoes, hard hats, protective eyewear, dust masks, gum boots, and various other products including reflective items and even first aid kits. The best place to get into this from a small business perspective is on the supply side: you are a retailer that that buys from trade suppliers: either manufacturer or importers and supply to the end users – or rather […]
Drop shipping is a retail business model where a seller doesn’t keep the products they sell in stock. Instead, only after a seller sells a product, they purchase the item from a supplier and have it shipped directly to the buyer/customer. This is an excellent business to get into if you don’t have a lot of capital to get stock but have some marketing skills. But in South Africa this business model can get very […]
A cash and carry store is a shop that usually sells items in bulk or in multiple quantities. There is a huge market in lower income areas for cash and carry stores, not only to supply entrepreneurs (shop owners, caterers), but to help large families shop for cheaper without travelling far. Business Model The majority of cash and carry stores in SA, follow the Makro model (minus the store card), large warehouse type shop, cheap […]
Buying and selling cars can be a lucrative business but it has some challenges and pitfalls to look out for. Introduction The buying and selling of cars is a simple retail model buy > add markup > resell, it has more profit potential than most other small retail, buying and selling or 2nd hand businesses but it also comes with its own set of potential problems: the 2nd hand car business can be full of […]
Reading the title you must be rolling your eyes thinking there are already lots of bed shops around, but there is a reason there are so many beds shops and that the fact they have been around for many years. Here is why a bed shops is one of the safest bets if you decide to open a retail shop. The reason there are bed shops everywhere that stay in business is due to many […]
The popularity of e-cigarettes has skyrocketed in recent year’s opening up various business opportunities in the “vaping” space. Introduction An electronic cigarette or e-cigarette is a handheld electronic device that simulates the feeling of tobacco smoking. It works by heating a liquid to generate an aerosol, commonly called a “vapor” that the user inhales. Using e-cigarettes is sometimes called vaping. The liquid in the e-cigarette, called e-liquid, is usually made of nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerine, […]
Exporting is the process of sending goods to other counties to be sold (where it will be “imported”). Start your own business exporting locally made products. Introduction In South Africa small business circles importing and exporting is often thrown around as where opportunities are. But it’s not that simple. Firstly there are very few companies that are in both the business of importing AND exporting as they usually specialise in one area. Secondly do not […]
Artificial grass also known as artificial turf is a surface of synthetic fibers made to look like natural grass. It was previously mostly used in stadiums for sports that were originally or are normally played on grass. However, it is now being used on residential lawns and commercial buildings as well. Start your own business supplying and/or installing artificial grass. The business This is both a retail business (buy and resell the turf) as well […]
When thinking “art dealer” you are probably thinking various high-end connotations, but there is a way to buy and sell artwork as a small business owner. Here I look at some of them. The business Art dealing is the business of buying artworks from the artist (or gallery or reseller), possibly framing it and then reselling it. On the high end you will deal with collectors, galleries and even museums, on the low end (where […]
An LED strip light (also known as LED tape or a ribbon light) is a flexible circuit board containing light-emitting diodes (LED). It is used in for indoor and outdoor lighting, signage, growing plants, various inspection (UV) and entertainment purposes (nightclubs, DJ’s) etc. Start your own business buying and selling LED strip lights. The business This is a simple retail business, buy the lights in wholesale and resell. These lights are sold by the meter […]
The spice business has good margins and is a popular and fast moving product. But it has competition around every corner. Here is how to get into this business now. The business The spice business has many facets: manufacturing, wholesaling and retailing. The higher up the chain, the more capital you need to get started. While it is possible to start at the lowest end (retail) with little capital, for a small business, I think […]
With South Africa experiencing a drought and the Western Cape running out of water people have started to take precautionary measures such as purchasing containers and tanks to store water. Start your own business buying and selling water containers and tanks. Different types of containers and tanks There is essentially two different types of containers popularly sold, one that is “food grade” which houses drinking water the other non food grade to store “grey” water: […]
Shade cloth is a multipurpose material used for both weather protection and privacy. Start your own business buying and selling shade cloth. What is shade cloth? Shade cloth is a material used for protection from the sun and privacy among other uses. See below for more uses. It is usually sold me the meter or in predetermined sizes. Know your density Shade cloth is available in various densities which determine how much of the sun […]
I just came back from my local flea market and business was booming at the stationery guy’s stall. At the beginning of every school year there is a rush from parents to get their children’s stationery sorted for the new year. Tap into this seasonal business demand to make some extra money, whether alongside your existing business or to supplement your income as a sideline business. Getting started The goal is to know what to […]
