In 2017, there was a trend towards an increase in consumer interest in high-quality tea in Ukraine. It is predicted to continue. The period is considered favorable for opening a tea shop.
What outlet format to choose?
The size of the investment and the expected profit depend on the format of the outlet. Tea can be sold:
In a classic store. To start your business from scratch, rent a separate building of at least 20 square meters. Include weight and packaging products in your assortment.
Internet shop for tea and coffee. You can save on renting and buying equipment, but you will have to develop your own resource. Create it yourself or contact professionals. The sale will be conducted via the Internet. At first, sales volumes will be small – in addition, investments will be required to promote the resource. It is better to open a tea shop along with a real outlet. Then you will get additional profit.
Dropshipping work. You can save on renting space for a warehouse and purchasing products. The entrepreneur acts as an intermediary. He is looking for suppliers and clients. Products are sold with a large margin, but the method is risky. If there are delays on the side of the supplier, the dropshipper will have to answer to the buyer.
Showcase or stall with a minimum assortment. Such points are put in large stores.
Tasting room. Usually it is combined with a classic store. This form of business allows you to increase the range. The cost of renting the premises will increase, as a large area will be required for the project. In the tasting room, you can try the products sold so that the client does not have to buy a pig in a poke. Later, the tasting room can be turned into a tea shop.
How to open a tea shop from scratch?
If you want to start selling tea profitably, proceed as follows:
- Analyze the local market and competitors. This will allow you to understand in which direction to move.
- Write a business plan for a tea shop. Calculate the startup costs and profit margins. Describe in detail the scheme of actions, using a ready-made business plan as a sample.
- Find a room, find potential suppliers. The property can be rented or bought. It is better to conclude long-term cooperation agreements with companies.
- Prepare documents, contact the Federal Tax Service for business registration.
- Buy equipment, hire staff.
- Start promoting your business.
Tea shop space
Choose a room in a walkable place away from competitors. Can be rented:
- pavilion in the shopping center;
- premises in the business center;
- detached building.
A tea shop needs space – it depends on the scale of the business. Visitors should not be crowded. Shelves must be placed in the room. Additionally, office space and storage rooms will be required. To organize the work, rent a minimum of 30 square meters. If you plan to open a kiosk in a shopping center, an island 10 m square is suitable.
The law imposes the same requirements on tea shops as on grocery outlets. The room must be ready to go. Pre-repair, think over the design. Usually, natural materials are used for decoration, dark shades prevail in the interior. Use subdued lighting – this will create a special atmosphere. The feeling of comfort stimulates the visitor to purchase. The design should be aimed at the target audience. When opening an elite coffee and gift tea shop, choose an official interior. If you’re planning to sell to middle-income consumers, the design might be simpler.
tea shop suppliers
Arrange stable supply. There should be no problems with the receipt of products. If the tea shop is large or the entrepreneur owns several outlets, it is better to conclude a direct contract with the manufacturer. The fewer intermediaries, the higher the savings. With small businesses, large manufacturers make deals less often. Owners of small shops have to buy tea just from intermediaries.
You can build profitable long-term relationships. They will not work with a novice entrepreneur without an advance payment. Therefore, initially make inquiries about potential partners and read reviews. It is better to find companies that have already made bulk purchases from a supplier. The opinion of clients will allow you to get an idea about the institution.
It is better to give preference to official representatives of large companies. For insurance, find additional sources of goods.
The assortment of the shop should include at least 30 varieties of tea of different categories, if the outlet does not position itself as an elite boutique. But you need to be sure that there is demand and interest in the product from wealthy customers. They will agree to buy only high quality products. Having unique products will be an advantage and will make your store stand out from the competition. Buy packing boxes and bags for goods by weight.
Equipment
Products must be displayed in showcases. The goods are stored in tin boxes. They allow you to retain flavor and reduce the risk of moisture ingress. Label the boxes with the name of the product and a brief description.
The implementation of the dry base is carried out by weight. You will need scoops for distributing tea into packages, electronic scales and a cash register.
If the tasting room is open, you need dishes, tables and chairs for visitors, a coffee grinder and a coffee machine. It is acceptable to use Turks or tiles. You can sell sweets for tea.
Tea shop needs staff
The number of employees depends on the area of the shop. If the room is about 10 square meters, 2 people are enough. They will take on the functions of the seller and manager. Competent staff are distinguished by:
- politeness;
- grammatically correct speech;
- the ability to find an approach to the buyer;
- learning ability.
The seller must know the properties and place of production of tea, be able to provide information about the method of production. Buyers seek advice from consultants. Attitude towards customers forms the image of the organization.
Starting a business from scratch, take on the role of a salesperson. This will save on staff. Then you can hire an additional person, continuing to deal only with the organization of procurement and delivery.
If there is a tasting room, the requirements for staff are tougher. The ability to competently conduct a dialogue and unobtrusively offer different varieties of tea for tasting comes to the fore.
Advertising
Create a bright, eye-catching tea shop sign and a small promotional banner. At first, it is better not to spend money on expensive billboards. As part of the promotion, use the following methods:
- organize the distribution of leaflets;
- run promotions and provide discounts;
- post signs on the sidewalk leading to the tea shop;
- provide customers with gifts after opening;
- distribute discount cards to customers.
Entrust business promotion to professionals from advertising agencies – then you can achieve results faster. To increase the popularity of the institution allows tasting takeaway. Such an action is carried out in summer, late spring and early autumn. In winter, organize a tea party in the store. Combine tasting with entertainment – this will encourage the client participating in the events to purchase at the tea shop.
