How to Start a Bulk Food Retail Store in Oklahoma
Some consumers prefer to buy food in bulk because they can save a lot of money. By removing pre-packaging from the process of selling food, retailers can reduce their own costs and pass the savings on to the customer. A bulk food retail store in Oklahoma needs to appeal to customers who are looking for a bargain, hence many bulk food chains have names that imply savings, such as Bulk Barn.
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Acquire the permits and licenses that you need to do business in Oklahoma. You will need to obtain a Federal Employer Identification Number, register your business with the state of Oklahoma and obtain a sales tax number. Remember that people who sell food are held to higher standards than retailers in other industries, because of the potential for illness if their products are not of good quality.
-
2
Buy, lease or rent a commercial building in a high-traffic location. A retail business is only as good as its location. You may see another building that costs a lot less, but if it won't attract the traffic that you need, you don't want it.
-
-
3
Establish relationships with bulk food suppliers. Focus on local Oklahoma farms and wholesalers. This will reduce your shipping costs and allow you to use your local food offerings in your advertising.
-
4
Establish a line of commercial credit with your bank. Starting a bulk retail food store costs a lot of money upfront, and you will almost certainly need to go into debt to get your business going. By the time you have a building, fixtures and merchandise, you could easily have half a million dollars into your business before you even open the doors.
-
5
Advertise your new business in places where people who are interested in bulk food are likely to see it. Health food enthusiasts who do their own cooking and people looking to save money are two target markets for a bulk food store. Consider advertisements in your local newspaper and health food magazines. Set up a simple website to showcase what you have to offer and establish links with other websites based in your area that cater to these populations.
-
1
References
- Photo Credit Hemera Technologies/Photos.com/Getty Images
