Like opening any other business, opening a minimarket also requires capital, time, and planning. Minimarket is a line of business that is now mushrooming all over the world, so it is very suitable for you to enter. By choosing the right place, maintaining stock, and setting the right price, you can immediately make a profit after opening a minimarket. Interested in getting started? Read this article.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Planning a Shop
Step 1. Decide whether you will open a standalone store or a franchise
No matter which option you choose, you will still need to spend a lot of money. However, with a franchise, you will be able to do marketing and start a store more easily, at a certain cost deducted from the profits. You may find that buying a franchise license will make your business a lot easier.
Step 2. Create a business and marketing plan, whether you are starting a franchised store or independent
While you don't have to come up with marketing ideas and business plans yourself if you buy a franchise license, these documents will help you get a loan if needed. If you don't have these two documents, you will have a hard time getting capital.
- Make a business plan by writing down your business name and structure. You may have a business in the form of a PT, CV, or personal business. Next, write down the goods and services that you will offer, as well as an estimate of the costs required to start providing all of those goods and services. For more information, read a library or internet guide for writing a business plan.
- Make a marketing plan by analyzing competitors and target markets. You can use data from the Central Statistics Agency, or ask the Cooperatives and MSMEs Office for help. Next, do an analysis of the minimarket industry, and make an advertising plan, logo, and how to retain customers. For more information, read the guide to writing a marketing plan in the library or the internet.
- Plan the place of business (if possible) and the time of business opening.
Step 3. Calculate the initial capital you need
The initial capital will depend on the price of the property in your area, as well as the goods and services that you will offer. You may need a start-up capital from IDR 50,000,000 to IDR 1,000,000,000, so make sure you learn things about opening a minimarket and consider the costs of starting a business in your area to determine the capital required.
Step 4. Prepare the necessary capital
Most likely, you do not have the necessary capital in cash. This means that you must apply for credit to start a business. As part of government programs, many national banks provide People's Business Credit (KUR) which can be used to start a business. You can also contact the bank for other loan options.
Step 5. Prepare the necessary permits and insurance to open a business
Make sure your business meets local and state regulations. Business insurance will protect you from the threat of theft, as well as protect your employees from work accidents.
- At least in Indonesia, you need to prepare a nuisance permit, a certificate of company domicile, a franchise registration letter (if buying a franchise license), and a feasibility study. You may need additional permits to sell certain items, such as alcohol.
- You may need certain permits issued by the city/province government. Contact the Department of Cooperatives and SMEs for more information.
Method 2 of 2: Starting a Business
Step 1. Prepare the place
When opening a mini market, make sure you choose a strategic and easily accessible place. Minimarkets in locations away from crowds may have a strong customer base because they do not want to go to supermarkets further afield, while shops on the highway will be visited by tourists who do not know the area.
- Ideally, choose a location that is easy to find. The location must also have adequate parking space or be visited by many people, such as in terminals, malls, or office complexes.
- To find the best minimarket locations, large companies use reports from geographic information systems (GIS) to map competitors and demographics. However, these reports are usually too expensive for MSMEs. Fortunately, you can get the same information for free from the Department of Cooperatives and SMEs. For more information, contact your provincial Cooperatives and SMEs Office.
Step 2. Purchase store necessities, such as security systems with cameras and alarms, cash registers, beverage refrigerators, shelves, and EDC machines
If you buy an existing store, some of the equipment may already be there. Also prepare equipment to provide special services, such as a router or printer.
Step 3. Request a site inspection with the Ministry of Health and the Fire Service
This inspection is necessary to start a business. To get started, contact the relevant agency.
Step 4. Contact the goods provider
You need to find providers for the goods you are going to sell, such as cigarettes, food and drink, and household goods. Decide to use a single major provider that may require you to order more, or use multiple providers that may require you to pay more. Both options have their respective advantages and disadvantages. So, choose the option that best suits your business needs.
If you are opening a small independent minimarket, you may be able to shop from a membership wholesale store, such as Lotte Wholesale or Indogrosir. When shopping on your own, you need to think about transport options, but you might actually be able to save some money
Step 5. Prepare stock in store as needed
Arrange the shelves in the store, and fill them with goods. Arrange items carefully so you can easily reassemble them later when new stock arrives. Place expensive or easily stolen items where they are easily visible to the cashier and within reach of security cameras.
Know your store's main market share, and tailor the items sold to their needs. For example, if the store is in a residential area, sell basic necessities so that buyers don't have to go all the way to the supermarket. Or, if the store is in an office area, focus on selling coffee and breakfast menus
Step 6. Pay trusted employees to reduce the risk of losing goods and money
Do a thorough interview, check references, and consider background and drug tests.
Step 7. Open your shop
Consider hosting an opening event with banners and holding discounts to attract shoppers. For example, you could offer free coffee to the first 100 visitors. Today, the most important thing is to promote the business and attract consumers.
Tips
- Instead of opening your own shop, you can also buy an existing one. The process is not much different from opening your own shop, but there will be a transfer of the store's hands from the old owner to yours.
- You can also sell BBM for profit. However, if in the area where you open a minimarket there is no gas station available, you may need to spend a large amount of capital.
- Pay attention to the trends and developments of the minimarket business. For example, in the US, store owners are now worried about rising debit/credit card fees. By keeping up to date with the latest information, you can adjust your shop rules and stay competitive.
