Retail Business

How Much Does It Cost To Start A Retail Business? (In 2024)

Pat Walls

•

Updated: January 18th, 2023

Looking to start a retail business?

But curious about:

how much it costs to start a retail business?
what are the typical retail business startup costs?
or the actual cost of starting retail businesses?

Well, we have the data to prove it, supported by real retail businesses and how much they actually cost to start.

Let's go over it.

Learn more about starting a retail business:

Where to start?

-> Pros and cons of a retail business

Need inspiration?

-> Other retail business success stories
-> Marketing ideas for a retail business
-> Retail business names
-> Retail business Instagram bios

Other resources

-> Retail business tips
-> Retail business quotes

Equipment & Supply Expenses

Starting a retail business may require purchasing some equipment, whether that's for producing the product or packaging the goods, or equipment needed in the back office.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Cleaning Supplies ➜	Optional	$63	$200
Uniforms	Optional	$0	$500

Retail Business Expenses

If you plan to have a brick & mortar location for your retail business, you must weigh the costs of your rent, as it may be the most expensive part of running your business.

Rent costs for your retail business very much depends on your location. This cost will vary by both region and specific areas of town: a lease in the heart of Manhattan could cost over $80,000/month in rent. Meanwhile, a storefront lease in Florida or Tennessee could cost less than $1,000/month.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Shop Decor	Optional	$0	$5,000
Utilities (storefront business)	Optional	$0	$1,000
Building improvements and remodeling	Optional	$0	$950
Storefront Property Rent ➜	Optional	$1,250	$3,500
POS System	Optional	$0	$1,200

Business Formation Fees

There are a few key costs associated with forming your business entity, such as setting up an LLC and getting trademarks, copyrights, and patents sorted.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Set up business: LLC & Corporations	Required	$50	$500
Small Business Insurance	Recommended	$500	$2,000
Permit and License Fees	Optional	$50	$700
Trademark	Optional	$0	$700
Lawyer Fees	Optional	$0	$1,500
A Patent ➜	Optional	$5,000	$15,000

Software Expenses

Your retail business needs software to run efficiently!

Why spend money on software? Because it can help you save time and automate certain parts of the business, so you can focus on the most important matters. Software and technology can help you grow your business, and save you from expensive personnel costs.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
File Hosting Service	Recommended	$0	$299
Email marketing tool	Recommended	$0	$100
Accounting & Invoicing Software	Recommended	$0	$50
CRM Software ➜	Recommended	$12	$300
Project Management Software	Recommended	$0	$25
Internal Communication Tool	Recommended	$0	$20
IT Support ➜	Optional	$150	$2,000
Design Programs & Software	Optional	$0	$50
Social Media Management Tools	Optional	$0	$50
Payroll Software	Optional	$0	$200

Office Space Expenses

It will be your call to determine if you need office space. It is not a requirement but may be necessary as your retail business grows.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Rent ➜	Optional	$0	$5,750
Utility Costs For Office Space ➜	Optional	$0	$1,150
WiFi & Internet ➜	Optional	$0	$100

Employee & Freelancer Expenses

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Payroll Costs & Fees ➜	Optional	$150	$250
Employee Hiring Expenses	Optional	$1	$2
Employee Rewards ➜	Optional	$0	$100

Website Costs

Every business should have a website, and it's worth spending a bit of money to set it up right.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Domain Name ➜	Required	$12	$200
Website Hosting Costs ➜	Required	$0	$300
Website Builder ➜	Recommended	$10	$500
Business Email Hosting Service ➜	Recommended	$1	$15
Website & Live Chat Tool	Recommended	$0	$200
Web Designer ➜	Optional	$200	$6,000

Inventory Expenses

If you sell a physical good, you'll likely have to start with some inventory.

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Upfront Costs For Inventory	Optional	$300	$5,000
Inventory Storage	Optional	$0	$5,000
Package Design ➜	Optional	$50	$3,000
Shrinkage	Optional	$0	$1,000
Distribution costs	Optional	$0	$750

Advertising & Marketing Costs

Cost	Required?	Min Cost	Max Cost
Business Cards ➜	Optional	$0	$50
Local fairs and festivals	Optional	$0	$500
Business Signage ➜	Optional	$75	$2,486
Direct Campaigns, Printing and Mailing	Optional	$0	$300
Influencer Marketing	Optional	$0	$750
Press	Optional	$0	$500
Google Ads	Optional	$0	$300
Facebook & Instagram Ads	Optional	$0	$350