Selling vegetables and fruits is a business characterized by constant demand for goods and high profitability. Even during a crisis, people find money for food, trying not to skimp on vitamins. In addition, opening such a business is much easier than opening a whole one.

When opening even a small point selling vegetables and fruits, you will need documentation:

• conclusion of the state sanitary and epidemiological inspection service (up to 5,000 rubles) on the premises;
• contract for maintenance of store equipment.

Assortment and seasonality

First, decide whether you will open a fruit and vegetable store or just a small one, maybe even a tent. The range of goods will depend on this. The main thing is to offer customers the most popular products.

If space or equipment allows, a vegetable business should have the widest possible range. In addition, the assortment depends on whether you will sell imported vegetables and fruits, as well as on seasonality:

1. Winter. The demand for imported products is not too great, but fruits, especially tangerines, will generate revenue;
2. Spring. These are mostly greenhouse products or imported ones: fruits - banana, kiwi, mango, coconuts; vegetables - cabbage, beets, onions, potatoes, carrots. In spring, the cost increases by an average of 60%;
3. Summer. A time of a very large assortment of goods (especially the second half of summer). You can sell almost all vegetables, a lot of fruits (strawberries, apples, pears, melons, watermelons, plums, etc.);
4. Autumn. This is the time of ripening for all vegetables, some fruits such as grapes and oranges.

Learn a little information about different products and varieties so that you can advise customers, as well as know storage rules, harvest times, during which you can purchase goods at a low cost.

Retail premises and equipment

Necessary premises

Experts report that selling fruit as a business is more profitable if you have several small retail outlets (up to 5 pieces). You can supplement them with a wholesale warehouse. Although there will still be less hassle with opening a store.

Choose a location in places where there is a constant flow of people, but it does not have to be a bazaar. Room area – up to 60 sq.m., of which about 20 sq.m. m. allocate for storage (temperature in summer - up to 8 ° C, in winter - not lower than 0 ° C), utility room. At first, you can use a regular, cool garage. If you are not yet sure whether you will be able to conduct this business, opt for a tent (20 sq.m. is enough)

To open a stall with vegetables and fruits, you will need a vehicle to deliver the products.

Equipment

One of the advantages of this business is an inexpensive trade tent.

Perhaps the most expensive purchase will be a car, without which it is impossible to run a fruit and vegetables business. At the initial stage, the same gazelle can be a point of sale at the bazaar, and after saving money, buy a tent, and then a store. Perhaps you will even open a subsidiary, for example.

Staff

When implementing a vegetable business plan, pay special attention to personnel selection:

• 2 salespeople (salary + percentage of sales);
• food sorting worker;
• loader;
• driver for transportation;
• visiting accountant.

Suppliers

We recommend purchasing from 2-3 suppliers. If sales are good, you will have to purchase goods for at least 10,000 rubles. in a day. Select the product carefully, it should always be fresh. Look for suppliers in the nearest villages: the goods will be fresh at a much lower cost than in wholesalers (markets, bases), but be sure to ask for documents to check the products.

Still, you will have to deal with wholesalers - buy exotic fruits and vegetables from them. Don't forget to draw up a sales contract.

Long-term cooperation with suppliers is the key to a successful business. This indicates acceptable quality and prices, and also eliminates the delay of goods.

Risks and benefits

The risks include:

• rotting of goods can reach 15%, but do not rush to throw everything away, you can still try to sell some products at a discount;
• drying of goods;
• dishonest sellers who can cheat not only you, but also buyers;
• non-compliance with all sanitary standards, both goods and premises, sellers, cars; the slightest violation will entail a fine.

The fruit business is an excellent direction in the field of healthy nutrition, which has more and more adherents every year.

Finance

Include financial calculations in your business plan.

Small retail outlet:

• revenue per day – 6,500 – 20,500 rubles;
• monthly revenue – about 52,000 rubles;
• salesperson's salary – 7% of revenue;
• markup on goods – 50%;
• write-off of damaged goods – 15%;
• rent of a retail space – 1,500 rubles;
• taxes – 2,500 rub.

The starting investment is about 100,000 rubles.

Costs for a small store:

• rent – ​​13,000 rubles;
• repairs - about 700,000 rubles;
• purchase of equipment – ​​250,000 rubles;
• purchase of goods – 160,000 rubles;
• markup – 40 – 250% depending on the type of product.

Business payback is 6 months.

Video: How to properly store fruits and vegetables

Business ideas for profitable stores

The fresh meat business is always on top. Meat is an essential product; besides, there are a lot of people who like to savor fresh meat. Profitability – 30%.

In our country there are many lovers of gardening and vegetable gardens. Every year they become more and more picky, so provide them with a wide selection of seeds.

is a retail outlet with minimal investment and great potential. A small range of products can provide a stable income.

You can start a business selling fruits and vegetables by opening a small stall in the market, or, for example, in a residential area. The success of the business is almost guaranteed, since food products are among the most popular goods in retail trade.

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Services

The vegetable stall service includes:

• retail sales of various fruits;
• individual sale of assorted vegetables;
• accepting an order for the supply of certain products in the required volume;
• assistance to customers when choosing a product;
• consulting clients;
• packaging of purchased vegetables/fruits;
• home delivery of products;
• sale of goods on credit;
• temporary storage of purchased products.

Forms of doing business

A business selling vegetables and fruits at retail can be organized in the following ways:

A profitable business selling fruits and vegetables can be either at the market or in a pavilion, or on the street.

The choice of one option or another depends on:

• material capabilities of a businessman;
• level of competition in the local market;
• who the entrepreneur is - a reseller or a manufacturer of products;
• having your own vehicle (truck or car);
• personal preferences;
• availability of space for storing goods;
• cost of rent, etc.

Along with retail trade, many businessmen are focusing on organizing a large vegetable warehouse. Its clients will primarily be entrepreneurs. The wholesale business format requires serious investment and experience in this area of ​​operation. Therefore, it is recommended for a beginner to start a business with a small shop.

Relevance

In modern operating conditions, the demand for the vegetable business is due to the following factors:

1. High demand. Vegetables and fruits are products that are consumed by almost all people without exception. They are products of daily demand. The main range of fruits/vegetables is available to a large number of consumers.
2. No license required. To use data, you do not need to obtain special permissions from government agencies. Sanitary control documents can be issued in a laboratory at the market or taken from suppliers.
3. Low starting investment. To open a vegetable stall, you do not need to buy expensive transport and commercial equipment, or create a wide range of products.
4. High profitability and profitability, as well as quick payback. By selling seasonal goods in both winter and summer, you can count on high profits.
5. Minimal marketing expenses. To organize the sale of vegetables and fruits, there is no need to work on recognition.
6. There is no need to maintain a large warehouse of products. This is due to the fact that vegetables and fruits have a short shelf life and are not purchased for future use.

Market description and analysis

The main features of the Russian market for the sale of fresh vegetables and fruits:

1. Leading regions in the sales of vegetable products: Moscow (18% of market capacity), Moscow region (5%), St. Petersburg (5%).
2. According to Rosstat, annually there are 97.8 kg of plant food per capita (excluding potatoes). Monthly consumption of vegetables by one Russian: Bashkiria - 3 kg, Tyumen region - 3.4 kg, Krasnodar region - 4 kg, St. Petersburg - 6 kg. According to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization, in Russia one person eats 124.2 kg of vegetable dishes per year. For comparison, for example, in the USA this figure is 122.9 kg, and in China – 321.5 kg.
3. Prices for vegetables and fruits sold in the northern regions are higher than in the southern ones. Also, in warm regions their cost is 20-30% lower than in the country as a whole.
4. Fees for individual products vary significantly throughout the year. For example, sellers ask for 70 rubles per kilogram of fresh cucumbers in summer, and 200 in winter. This trend can be seen even in the southern regions of the country.
5. The volume of domestic products on store shelves is increasing.
6. According to sociological research, 85% of Muscovites buy vegetables/fruits one or more times a week.
7. Leaders in selling vegetables: potatoes, cucumbers, onions, tomatoes, carrots.
8. Leaders in fruit sales: apples, oranges, strawberries, tangerines.
9. Muscovites most often buy plant products in department stores and supermarkets (71% of consumers), as well as in markets (10%).

Photo gallery

Share of buyers and frequency of purchases of vegetables/fruits in Moscow Change in the cost of fresh vegetables by region during the year, rub./kg Regions with maximum vegetable sales volumes Vegetable consumption by region (based on data for the second quarter of 2012) Consumption per capita by regions of Russia Share of fresh vegetable buyers (as of June) Share of fresh fruit buyers (as of June) Places for Muscovites to buy fruits and vegetables

The target audience

Description of vegetable (fruit) stall consumers:

Competitive advantages

The strengths of a small vegetable/fruit stall should be:

• good location (away from direct competitors and close to a large number of customers);
• thoughtful product range (taking into account the needs of the local market);
• high-quality and friendly service;
• sale of fresh and ripe vegetables and fruits;
• advising clients regarding the positions of the presented product range;
• correct placement of goods on the display window;
• neat display of the counter;
• competent pricing policy.

Advertising campaign

Since the assortment of the vegetable stall is familiar to the target audience, it does not need advertising. To form your own extensive customer base, it is important to monitor the quality of service and products sold. An entrepreneur must listen to the wishes of consumers and try to bring his service and range to the ideal. Thus, positive information about the store will be spread in the area where the outlet is located, which will attract new customers.

Step-by-step instructions for opening a vegetable kiosk

Successfully opening a stall selling vegetables and fruits requires sequential implementation of the following points:

1. Studying the characteristics of entrepreneurial activity in the selected market segment. Including analysis of supply and demand, familiarity with the nuances of trading activities, competitors’ pricing policies, etc.
2. Compiling an assortment of goods for sale (taking into account seasonality). Consideration of the rules for their storage, determination of approximate harvest dates.
3. Search for potential product suppliers.
4. Calculation of a business plan from scratch.
5. Determining the location of the kiosk (on the street, in a pavilion or in the market).
6. Search and hiring of seller/s.
7. Purchase of equipment and the first batch of goods.
8. Obtaining a trade permit (if you plan to organize a stall on the street).

Range

When creating a list of products for sale, an entrepreneur needs to take into account the following nuances:

• Demand. The assortment should take into account the needs of potential buyers in the area where the store will be located.
• Richness/diversity. This will allow each client to find what he is looking for.
• Interest. The presented products should attract the attention of the target audience.
• Seasonality. During the cold season, classic goods (for example, potatoes, beets, apples or tangerines) are in great demand. And in warm weather - berries, such as cherries, raspberries, strawberries, etc., as well as watermelons, melons, apricots, peaches, etc.

Basic range

Documentation

The process of registering a small trading business in the field of fruit/vegetable sales involves the following nuances:

1. The best organizational form is individual entrepreneurship. Compared to alternative options, creating an individual entrepreneur will save money during the registration of a company and simplify the process of preparing the necessary papers. It is easier to open and run such a business than an LLC.
2. OKVED – 47.21 “Retail sale of fruits/vegetables in specialized stores.”
3. The optimal system for paying taxes is the simplified tax system or UTII.
4. After completing the registration of an individual entrepreneur, the company must register with funds and statistical authorities.

To sell vegetables and fruits, the following documents are required:

• certificate of an individual entrepreneur;
• permission from the Sanitary and Epidemiological Station;
• conclusion from the Fire Service;
• consent of local authorities (in the situation of placing a kiosk on the street);
• certificates for products sold.

Location and premises

Options for choosing a location for placing a retail outlet for selling fruits/vegetables in a stall format:

• high traffic volume of potential buyers;
• location near stalls where goods are sold, the consumers of which are the required target audience (for example, a bakery, butcher shop, confectionery, etc.);
• distance from shops, kiosks, counters and other places where similar products are sold;
• good approach to the shop;
• Availability of car parking nearby.

The optimal stall area is 8-10 square meters. m.

To obtain maximum profit, an entrepreneur needs to organize several retail outlets in different areas of the city.

Practice shows that if it is not possible to store goods at the place of direct sale, then even a small business will need a warehouse.

In this case, fruits and vegetables can be stored in:

• utility room of your own house/apartment (for example, basement, storage room or balcony);
• garage (with or without heating);
• truck;
• rented premises near a retail outlet.

Equipment and inventory

List of equipment for a street vegetable stall:

Photo gallery

Cargo gazelle – 400,000 rubles Libra – 6,500 rubles Kiosk – 40,000 rubles Cash register – 18,500 rubles

Staff

In order for the stall to operate seven days a week, you will need to hire two sales consultants. You can save money on the wages of a loader, driver and accountant due to the fact that the entrepreneur himself will take over their functions.

Basic requirements for job seekers in the vegetable department:

• knowledge of the range of goods and the features of their sale;
• Experience in the retail sector is preferred;
• communication skills;
• goodwill;
• attentiveness;
• courtesy to the client;
• cultural speech;
• neat appearance;
• no criminal record;
• availability of a medical record.

Suppliers

Product suppliers can be:

• domestic and foreign agricultural producers;
• wholesale fruit and vegetable warehouses;
• resellers (private intermediaries between farmers and sellers).

In addition, an entrepreneur can sell products grown on his farm. In this case, it will be more profitable to combine the sale of your own vegetables and fruits with goods purchased externally. For example, if bananas do not grow in Russia, then they should be purchased from private intermediaries or at wholesale centers.

Key criteria for selecting reliable suppliers:

• low prices (discounts);
• good quality of products (there are documents for the entire range of products sold);
• availability of goods in the required quantity;
• providing quality assurance;
• optimal delivery times;
• the ability to place an order for the supply of certain types of goods;
• a wide range of;
• good reputation.

The video talks about how to choose the right supplier of vegetables and fruits for your own retail outlet. Filmed by the channel: “Mikhail Balandin”.

Financial plan

Financial planning of a business project for a stall selling vegetables and fruits was carried out on the basis of the following data:

How much does it cost to open?

Capital investments in your own business:

Regular expenses

Every month, to maintain the business, the entrepreneur will make the following expenses:

Income

The calculation of performance indicators for a vegetable stall business idea is based on the following data:

Main financial indicators of the project:

Calendar plan

Calendar schedule for the implementation of the main activities of the vegetable stall business plan:

Risks and payback

The main risks of a vegetable shop business project:

The payback period for a small business selling vegetables and fruits will be 9-12 months.

Food is everyone’s primary need, so trading vegetables and fruits as a business can bring constant and very good income to an entrepreneur. Depending on the scale of the undertaking, the costs of starting a business can vary greatly, but the payback period for the enterprise in any case will be 6-14 months. And with a favorable combination of factors, current expenses can be reduced to zero in just 30-40 days at the very beginning of work.

Where will we trade?

Depending on how much money you are willing to invest in the endeavor and whether you plan to create a network, you can choose one or another format of a retail establishment: it could be a car with a trailer, a stall, a small tent or a full-fledged store. In the latter case, you need to find a point with an area of ​​at least 40-50 m2, where, in addition to the main hall, there will be separate compartments:

• room for sorting vegetables;
• fruit sorting room;
• technical compartment;
• warehouse of finished products equipped with refrigeration chambers.

The cost of purchasing a van or renting premises will be at least 300 thousand rubles, and renovating a store will cost 700-900 thousand, which not everyone can afford.

Fortunately, trading fruits and vegetables is a business where start-up capital can be obtained on credit. True, banks are wary of those involved in retail trade, but it is quite possible to obtain a loan for the purchase of commercial vehicles or even premises.

How to resolve the placement issue

Like searching for a car or premises, the choice of location of a retail outlet depends on the scale of the enterprise. For a beginning small entrepreneur, selling vegetables and fruits on the street or at the market is perfect. If you wish, you can even engage in spontaneous trading near the metro or on the roadway and quickly close the stall as soon as you see the person checking, but this is the most troublesome and dangerous option: you face a fine of 500 to 2 thousand rubles. It is better to formalize your business - this at least promises more profit.

If you are planning to open a larger business or even a whole chain of retail outlets, be more responsible when choosing a location. Before opening a grocery store, find a location near the metro or in a residential area, but in a public area.

You can rent a point on the ground floor of a residential building - it will be more convenient for local residents to come to you, even if vegetables and fruits cost a little more.

But if you intend to open a chain of stores, choose several points: one next to the warehouse, several more closer to the city center.

What papers to fill out

Any entrepreneur must correctly prepare all documents for trading vegetables and fruits. The list of required papers includes:

• USRIP record sheet;
• certificate of registration with the tax authority (TIN);
• document on registration of cash register equipment;
• conclusion of Rospotrebnadzor;
• conclusion of the State Fire Supervision Authority;
• invoices and product quality certificates;
• book of reviews and suggestions.

In addition, there are also documents required to work in the store. Having received a permit to trade vegetables and fruits, you will immediately need to obtain:

• agreement with a garbage collection company;
• a rental agreement for the premises or a document indicating that you are the owner of the site;
• medical records for all employees.

Among other things, your establishment must have a first aid kit. It will take 1-2 months to receive all the certificates, and after completing the paperwork you will have to pay 4 thousand rubles to the Sanitary and Epidemiological Supervision Authority.

Working with goods

Those who do not grow goods themselves will have to negotiate with several suppliers and, in the process of work, continue to contact only the most reliable ones. As a result, a “backbone” will be formed, thanks to which you will be able to provide customers with 70-80 types of goods.

When choosing a supplier, focus on the following factors:

• his reputation - interview other traders;
• taste qualities of the product - purchase and try fruits and vegetables from different suppliers;
• origin of fruits and vegetables;
• availability of relevant documents.

Range

Retail trade in vegetables and fruits will be successful if you offer your clients a maximum of goods - from the usual apples, bananas, potatoes, herbs to exotic mangoes, pineapples, pomelo, avocados: from 35 items in total.

Unusual products should be placed on the top shelves - this creates the illusion of a rich selection. Do not seal the product in a glass container, and if the pleasant smell emanating from fruits and vegetables seems not rich enough to you, use flavorings.

Related products will attract even more visitors to your store. Sell ​​spices, canned and frozen fruits and vegetables, mushrooms, juices and dried fruits. Also, buy more seasonal goods - for example, tangerines for the New Year.

At what price should I buy?

Before opening a vegetable stall, take a tour of the retail outlets of successful competitors: average wholesale prices from suppliers are the cost of goods from the seller, reduced by 2-3 times. Of course, it is better to choose the most profitable option, since a lot of products will be lost before reaching the client: this happens due to the fact that the goods are subject to shrinkage and shaking, and sometimes glass containers break when transporting canned products, which also leads to damage to the fruit and vegetables.

The share of illiquid assets sometimes reaches 20%, but is compensated by a markup that can reach 200-250%.

Are you at the very beginning of your journey and do not yet have enough money or connections to purchase from suppliers? Go to the nearest villages and hamlets and negotiate with local farmers, especially since, unlike official representatives, you can bargain with them.

What equipment will be needed in the store?

How to open a grocery store from scratch without the necessary requisites? You won’t need any unique devices, but you will have to invest a lot of money. Be sure to purchase and install:

• showcases for displaying products;
• refrigerated display cases;
• counters and racks;
• baskets;
• refrigeration chamber;
• scales.

Even if you choose the most budget-friendly products, you will have to spend from 370 thousand rubles on the purchase and installation of equipment.

Store staff

Selling vegetables as a business will be much more successful if you hire good workers. If you can trade from a car or in a small tent alone, then in the store you cannot do without such assistants as:

• seller (realizer);
• a worker sorting fruits and vegetables;
• loader;
• driver.

The duties of a sorter and a loader can be performed by one person, but it is better not to skimp on the work of a seller: hire two or three employees at once, working in shifts. You will also need the help of an accountant who can work remotely. Every month at least 100 thousand rubles will be spent on employee salaries.

How to properly store fruits and vegetables: Video

Fruits and vegetables will never lose popularity. After all, they contain so many vitamins, and not a single dish of the modern consumer is complete without vegetables. Fruits have always been considered a decoration for the holiday table. In winter they are especially valued due to their high vitamin content. There has always been and will always be a high demand for these products. But to start a business in this direction, you need to learn some important points. The main thing is that fruits and vegetables spoil quickly, and also in the sales market, a novice businessman will face a large number of competitors, so you need to be prepared for some difficulties.

Prospects for the development of the vegetable business

The first thing a new entrepreneur in any field faces is competition. Many people can't stand this. There are plenty of competitors in the sale of fruits and vegetables. There are supermarkets, small shops, and vegetable market stalls. But this is not a reason to stop. Supermarkets do not always sell fresh and high-quality vegetables; the market is overflowing with products without certificates. If you seriously decide to get into this business, then a competent business plan will lead you to success.

We need to figure out why people visit supermarkets. Many are not satisfied with the quality of the product, many with the assortment. It is worth noting that what drives people to the supermarket is the lack of an alternative. Many microdistricts of the city are simply deprived of vegetable shops and shops, so customers have no choice but to go to the nearest supermarket and be content with what is offered there.

Experienced entrepreneurs can confidently say that selling fruits and vegetables is quite a profitable business. Even the most ordinary vegetable shop can bring in good income. The main thing is to choose its location wisely and select an assortment of goods that corresponds to demand.

There are several options for trading fruits and vegetables:

• Trading stall specializing in the sale of fruits and vegetables;
• Vegetable shop;
• Wholesale of vegetables and fruits, delivery to customers.

The type of activity may depend on several factors: the funds available to the beginning businessman, competition in the area, demand for the product offered.

How to choose a type of activity:

• Wholesale base. Its opening is possible only if you have one or more cargo vehicles, as well as having the necessary connections and an established customer base;
• Shop or stall. The best option for a beginner. You can open a store if the entrepreneur has his own premises for the store or has the opportunity to rent it;
• Counter. This is an option for those who do not have large funds. In this case, it is better to start with several types of fruits or vegetables, and as the business develops and income increases, the range can be expanded.

But don't forget about the rules. Any trade must be permitted by certain authorities, the product must have all the necessary licenses, and the entrepreneur must always have the entire package of documents. Otherwise, such an enterprise will be closed and the owner will be fined.

Wholesale of fruits and vegetables

Starting a business with wholesale trade is not the most profitable solution. To do this, you need to rent several premises that will serve as warehouses for large quantities of goods:

• purchase equipment that will allow you to store products that quickly deteriorate;
• complete all necessary documents;
• Ensure timely delivery of orders to customers.

All this requires quite large investments. But in addition to money, you will also need extensive connections to establish a client base. If there are few customers, the goods will deteriorate, and this will cause quite a lot of damage.

If you decide to do wholesale, then it’s better to start with potatoes. This is not only the most popular product, but also a product that can be stored for a long time and not spoil. While exotic fruits and vegetables are rarely stored and require special storage equipment. In addition, potatoes do not require as many permits and certificates as, for example, pineapple.

An entrepreneur who decides to open a grocery store faces three main problems:

1. Room. It needs to be purchased or rented, and it is necessary to obtain the right to trade in this or that product in this premises;
2. Have funds, the minimum amount of which should not be less than 500 thousand rubles;
3. Conclude agreements with wholesalers for the supply of products.

The total area of ​​the premises for a grocery store must be at least 60 square meters. m., where 30 sq. m. is allocated for retail space, and 30 for a warehouse.

The store’s assortment should not be limited to those goods that are available at the nearest vegetable warehouse. The list of suppliers needs to be expanded, choosing those goods that are not very common in your area and goods for which the demand is highest.

In many cities, trading in street stalls is common. These are trade counters that constantly change their location. This kind of trade is good in the warm season. People are willing to buy fresh fruits and vegetables, and the seller is comfortable being on the street. In winter, vegetables and fruits freeze, buyers are not happy with frozen goods, and the seller seriously risks his health.

Some entrepreneurs manage to earn so much money during the summer that they can afford to close their street shop in winter. But such trade is extremely unstable and does not bring constant income.

You can start your own business with this type of trading. Thus, you can get acquainted with the demand, earn some capital, which you can then spend on developing a larger business. It’s better to start with the most unpretentious vegetables: carrots, potatoes, apples. Gradually the range can be expanded.

Many large companies now started with such street shops.

Business plan for opening a store

• Decor

First of all, you need to register yourself as an individual entrepreneur. You need to write an application for simplified taxation to the tax office. In addition, a number of documents are required, namely:

1. SES permission;
2. Permission from the State Supervision Authority;
3. Electrical surveillance permit;
4. Permission from the state trade inspectorate to carry out trade.

Before opening a store, you need to find out which products are most popular among consumers, what is the demand for vegetables and fruits in a given area or region. It is also necessary to find out whether the future store has competitors, their main line of trade and pricing policy. Prepare and equip the premises, acquire transport and hire staff.

• Room

The premises for the sale of fruits and vegetables must correspond to its direction. It should be light, dry, maintain optimal temperature, and be well ventilated. In addition to the sales area, the store should have several more utility rooms:

1. For sorting vegetables;
2. For sorting fruits;
3. Warehouse with all necessary equipment;
4. Utility room.

It is better to locate your store in a place where more people live, but fewer stores have been built. It makes no sense to open a grocery store near a supermarket or across the street from a competing store.

• Supplies

Vegetable bases are usually involved in deliveries. Contracts are concluded with them for the supply of fruits and vegetables. Depending on the content of the contract, the base delivers products directly to the store at a certain frequency, usually once a week. The quantity of deliveries can be agreed upon immediately, or you can specify the quantity of goods required before each delivery. The second option is much more profitable, since each time the sale of certain fruits and vegetables proceeds differently.

Experienced entrepreneurs negotiate with bases that they can return some of the damaged goods to them. This allows you to save a little.

One supply option is to purchase directly from farms. But these must be verified farms with all the necessary certificates and certificates for their products. If these documents are available, the entrepreneur completely relieves himself of responsibility for the quality of the goods.

In both cases, it all depends on the prices and the goods that suppliers offer. It is better to conclude an agreement with them for several years at once. It's profitable. After all, if prices rise, then many contracts indicate that the entrepreneur will purchase goods only at a certain price.

It is better to go to the base yourself to select the goods.

• Transport

Transport is one of the main points when opening this business. When dealing with fruits and vegetables, you need to understand that these are products that do not last long. Therefore, you should not buy tons of them. It is better if you transport goods often, but in small quantities. It's a hassle, but your store counter will always have the freshest fruits and vegetables. This fact will certainly attract buyers.

The delivery of goods must be carefully considered. Some products are bought more often and in larger quantities, for example, carrots, potatoes, apples, and some less often and in smaller quantities, for example, kiwi. Many products are in seasonal demand, such as tangerines and pineapples. There is a group of fruits and vegetables “for everyone”; such products are bought extremely rarely or are not in demand at all in a certain region.

• Risk

There is always risk in business, especially for beginners. It is also present in the sale of fruits and vegetables:

1. Shrinkage of goods;
2. Shaking products;
3. Rotting can reach up to 15%;

When transporting canned food, glass jars may break, which leads to damage to the product and your losses.

• Personnel and equipment

The staff in the store must have:

1. One implementer;
2. One worker who could unload goods, sort fruits and vegetables;
3. Driver; to save money, the entrepreneur himself can work as a driver.

Depending on the growth of the business, the staff must also be replenished.

The equipment must be of high quality and always in good working order:

1. Showcases for the sales area;
2. Racks and counters for displaying goods;
3. Baskets;
4. Refrigerated chambers for storing “capricious” goods;
5. Showcase with refrigerator for frozen products;
6. Scales.

For a store to be competitive, its assortment should not be worse than in other stores. A good store has in its assortment from 35 to 65 different products.

What should be:

1. Fresh vegetables: potatoes, carrots, onions, garlic, eggplants, etc.;
2. Fresh fruits: oranges, apples, bananas, kiwi, etc.;
3. Dried fruits: prunes, dried apricots, etc.;
4. Frozen vegetables and fruits;
5. Exotic fruits: mango, avocado, pineapple, etc.;
6. Canned vegetables and fruits;
7. Juices;
8. Water.

Much depends on how advantageously the product is located. Buyers are attracted by the beautiful design of the display case, fresh and beautiful fruits and vegetables, and bright colors in the front rows.

• Benefit

Of course, trading fruits and vegetables is a profitable business. The demand for them never falls. The only negative is seasonality. In summer, the demand for fruits and vegetables decreases. This is due to the fact that many have their own dachas, where in the summer they are content with homemade vitamins. This must be foreseen and for this period you need to protect yourself from significant losses. It is best to reduce the number of products supplied and, if possible, reduce the price.

• Expenses

The daily revenue of a street shop can range from 6 thousand rubles to 21 thousand rubles. Which is about 55 thousand rubles per month. From this money you can immediately deduct 7%, which will go to the seller’s salary. The average markup on a product is 50% of its wholesale cost. It makes no sense to mark it up more, since prices in the city are approximately the same, buyers will immediately notice the difference. Damaged goods are approximately 15% of all available goods, which is also counted towards expenses. A retail space needs to be rented, which costs another 1.5 thousand rubles. And one more type of expense that cannot be avoided is taxes, about 2.5 thousand rubles.

Based on these calculations, we can conclude that to open a vegetable shop, an entrepreneur must have at least 100 thousand rubles.

Shop

Renting the premises will cost 13 - 15 thousand rubles, depending on the area. Repairs are the most expensive part, from 500 to 700 thousand rubles. Purchase and installation of necessary equipment - 250 thousand rubles. The product will cost 150 - 200 thousand rubles. The markup in this case depends on the product and can range from 40 to 250%. Such a business will pay off after just 6 months of operation.

Not all fruits and vegetables keep well in the refrigerator. For example, bananas in the refrigerator quickly become covered with black spots, and cucumbers become damp. Therefore, it is better to store these products at room temperature in separate containers. When stored this way, they can last for several days without losing their shape.

All other fruits and vegetables tolerate refrigeration well. But at the same time, you need to observe the temperature regime, which should not go beyond +8 to +13 degrees.

Greens should not be stored in the refrigerator unopened. It needs to be wrapped in cotton cloth and then wrapped in foil or polyethylene. In this form, greens can be stored for quite a long time.

Potatoes and watermelon do not require refrigeration. These products take up a lot of space and do well in a cool, dark room.

The berries do not last long, depending on their tenderness. Strawberries, raspberries, blackberries, etc. Can stay in the refrigerator for no more than a day. Stronger cherries, for example, will last about three days.

You can’t put onions and potatoes next to each other, as this will lead to rapid spoilage.

• Tomato;
• Cucumber;
• Onion garlic;
• Orange;
• Tangerines;
• Lemons.

As you can see, starting a business selling fruits and vegetables is not so difficult. A store with such a direction will never be left without customers. Of course, this business has its downsides, but with a wisely drawn up business plan, none of this matters. In this business, you need to study the market, demand, and prices well. It is important to consider the specifics of the product. Fruits and vegetables spoil quickly, which means that in order to avoid serious losses, you need to purchase goods in minimal quantities. It’s better to go to the base one more time than to throw away kilograms of goods.

It is important to store fruits and vegetables correctly. Improper storage or proximity also quickly leads to damage. All these points must be taken into account.

Beginners are not recommended to start with large purchases. It’s worth starting with several types of fruits and vegetables, and as your business develops, you can expand the range. You should not buy exotic fruits and vegetables; such goods are in demand during the holidays, but on ordinary days there is a demand for the usual potatoes and carrots.

People will always eat. Many entrepreneurs who create businesses in the food industry understand this. Business in vegetables and fruits is another successful option for developing your own business.

Selecting a room

Buying or renting retail space depends on your financial capabilities. The best solution would be to open a point somewhere in a residential area of ​​a big city, near a bus stop or metro station. If you want to organize a business in a certain area, it makes sense to set up a pavilion or open a grocery store. Of course, you will have to spend more money on communications and obtaining permits, but you can store much more goods in a warehouse.

The room where vegetables and fruits are stored must have a certain temperature: in summer - no more than 8 °C, in winter - not lower than 0 °C.

To organize a business in vegetables and fruits, a retail area of ​​20 m2 is sufficient. Some enterprising people trade directly from the yard of a private house. This option is suitable if the house has a good location.

To legalize a business, you need to submit a package of documents to the relevant regulatory authorities: tax, SES, fire inspection, etc. From the tax office you will receive permission to conduct trading activities (it is enough to register an individual entrepreneur), from other authorities you will receive permission to operate the premises.

In addition to refrigeration and heating equipment, you do not need to buy any special devices. You will need shelving, tables and display cases.

Assortment and suppliers

First you need to purchase the most popular vegetables and fruits: potatoes, cabbage, carrots, cucumbers, tomatoes, apples, citrus fruits, etc. As sales volumes increase, the range can be diversified. As for suppliers, everyone chooses the most profitable option for themselves. Every big city has wholesale markets and vegetable depots, and you can also negotiate directly with producers.

To avoid getting burned during your first purchase, find out more information about different varieties of vegetables and fruits. At the beginning of autumn, many rural residents are ready to sell their harvest at a very favorable price; it is worth taking advantage of this opportunity.

Please note that about 10-15% of goods spoil. In the summer season without special equipment - even more.

Do not rush to immediately throw away spoiled goods. If it has retained a more or less tolerable appearance, it can be sold at a significant discount. It is worth taking this point into account when setting prices so as not to remain in the red.

Personnel search

A competent salesperson is half the success of any business. Your employee’s salary should be based on the principle: salary + percentage of sales. No one is immune from theft of goods, especially when it comes to opening a grocery store. This issue can be resolved by installing CCTV cameras.

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Markup on goods and payback

The markup on goods in the vegetable business can fluctuate significantly. If you have the opportunity to buy the bulk of the products in the fall and save them until winter and spring, the markup here sometimes reaches 200%. During the season, the markup is about 30-40%.

A fruit and vegetable business pays off quite quickly. If this is a store, then you can recoup the initial investment in 6-8 months, if it is a point on the market - in a couple of days. To save initial investments, you can do all the work yourself: trade, unload goods, negotiate with suppliers. However, sooner or later you will have to delegate responsibilities to other people, and be responsible for organizational issues yourself. After all, this is why we start our own business.