How to Open an Organic Food Store

Natural products are, today, a flourishing market thanks to the ever-increasing awareness of consumers: we will therefore explain to you, how to open an organic food store .

Entering the organic food business is a very interesting idea today, both as a possibility for development and earnings, and because it is an exciting field.

But what do you need to know and what documents do you need to have to get started?

Documents and certifications for an organic shop

Unlike pharmacies and parapharmacies, for example, no specific qualifications are required to open an organic food store. Despite this, using the collaboration or advice of a nutritionist can be an advantage over the competition.

The only requirement is to attend and obtain a certificate of participation. Food and Beverage Administration Course (SAT).

The bureaucratic process it is the classic one for the opening of any commercial business:

• you need to open a VAT number and register with the Chamber of Commerce,
• it is necessary to notify your local municipality of the start of the activity (SCIA),
• you must have the suitability for food trade, which can be obtained by attending the SAB course, and then obtain the certificate. For those who have worked for at least 2 years in the last 5 years already within the food sector, the course becomes optional.
• there is an obligation to request health authorization from the relevant ASL.

Tips for opening a successful organic grocery store

First of all, it is good to evaluate whether you want to open a independent sales point or apply to join a franchising .

The difference is mainly linked to the freedom of choice of products, pricing policies, and the image of the shop itself: obviously, remaining independent means that your organic shop is truly personal and personalized.

The franchising route, however, is not to be underestimated: with affordable entry costs, it allows you to streamline many procedures and have a turnkey package, from furnishings to product supply.

Once you have made this first decision, here are some ideas to help you take your first steps:

• There choice of location it is essential: a bright, welcoming place, of the right size for the customer traffic you estimate you will have, is the first business card to be chosen.
• There store location it is essential, preferably in a well-traveled location but perhaps not excessively central, to contain the costs of renting or purchasing the space itself.
• Also pay attention to do not position yourself too close to other similar food outlets , with the risk of saturating the area with your own offering and, therefore, having few customers.
• Must choose the products well to present to customers, trust suppliers and buy only references whose goodness you can personally guarantee. Those who enter an organic shop are ready to spend a little more but only in exchange for real quality, safety and sustainability of the product.
• There “Organic” certification of products is the conditio sine qua non for placing them on the shelf: rely only on serious and transparent suppliers, who rely on serious bodies such as AIAB.
• A big plus is the ability to explain the products : advice on uses, properties and recipes is always appreciated by the undecided customer!