Open a tea shop with minimal investment. Tea business from scratch

In Russia, tea is considered one of the national drinks - every year the audience of consumers of quality products is expanding by 10-15%. Of course, someone continues to buy brightly packaged goods with an unknown composition in supermarkets, however, there are more and more people who are able to distinguish one variety of pu-erh from another. This circumstance makes entrepreneurs think about opening specialized boutiques, the range of which is designed specifically for connoisseurs of tea, coffee and other similar products.

The business plan of a tea shop should, among other things, include measures to improve the culture of drinking and focusing consumers' attention on the differences not only between varieties, but also between real tea and a surrogate, which is massively sold through retail chains. The target audience educated in this way will become the basis of business success and a source of stable income.

Business features

A tea shop is a rather peculiar type of business, since, when operating in a narrow niche, it is focused mainly on buyers who understand good varieties of tea and are able to pay for it. Features of trading require you to pay attention to:

• High quality of the products offered (there are fakes on the market produced in violation of technology);
• Individual approach to the consumer and a high level of service (including consultations on the taste and methods of making tea);
• Professional training of personnel and detailed acquaintance of sellers with the types of products offered;
• Continuous marketing activities in the tea business aimed at promoting products and attracting new admirers of elite tea.

The most important task when opening a store is to find a reliable supplier offering adequate terms of cooperation (delivery time, assortment, pricing policy and the possibility of deferred payment). It is impossible to buy such a specific product at the nearest wholesale base, so you should start a business not with the selection of premises and ordering commercial equipment, but with a thorough study of market offers.

Almost all wholesalers offer affordable franchises that allow a newbie to start a business with minimal risk. The entrepreneur will have time and opportunities to study the market, gain the necessary knowledge about the product and how to sell it, and undergo additional training. The average cost of a franchise is 300-380 thousand rubles with a total investment of 1.4-1.6 million rubles.

Considering the idea of ​​trade in tea and coffee can also be attributed to one of the most promising: with minimal investment, an entrepreneur gets a fully functional business model that allows you to earn income comparable to the income of a real store. Of course, you will have to learn which marketing techniques are more effective than others and how to get a stable flow of visitors at minimal cost, but the ultimate goal - creating a popular and profitable marketplace - fully justifies the effort.

Business Format

Entrepreneurs who create a tea business from scratch must first of all choose the format of the future store: there are several ways to organize a trade, differing in the scale of investments, expected profits and product range. Possible options include:

1. Shop with tasting area. To open such a retail outlet, a sufficiently large room in a place with high traffic is required to accommodate a wide range of products and related products. The store is characterized by significant investments both in interior design and in the creation of a commodity stock - at least 1.3-1.6 million rubles. However, the possibility of tasting directly affects sales, as it gives the buyer the opportunity to evaluate the tea before buying, and then choose one or more varieties they like. In the future, this option allows you to open an additional type of business - a tea cafe;
2. Special shop. It can be opened with a capital of 700-900 thousand rubles in a room with an area of ​​15-20 m², located in the city center, a large residential area or a business district. Due to its smaller size, this business format allows you to save on retail equipment, repairs and staff salaries. The outlet's assortment includes 150–200 items of loose and packaged tea and coffee, various additional accessories;
3. Tea stall or island in the mall. It is the most suitable option for beginners, since in this case you can start a tea business on a free area of ​​​​6-10 m² with an investment of 200-300 thousand rubles. Stalls are usually placed near metro stations, public transport stops, on busy streets, islands - in popular shopping centers. It should be noted that this format of trade involves the compilation of an assortment exclusively from inexpensive items sold in packaged form;
4. Virtual store. The advantages of the tea business on the Internet are the absence of investments in renting premises, repairs, commercial equipment and hiring staff. To open such an outlet, it is enough to register an enterprise, develop a website and create a minimum inventory. When considering, it should be noted that you can start trading in tea with a capital of 80-100 thousand rubles, of which about half will have to be spent on the initial purchase of goods.

Advantages and disadvantages

Before starting a tea business from scratch, it is recommended to consider the prospects for this type of activity, taking into account both its positive and negative sides. The benefits are usually listed as:

• Relatively low cost of production;
• Trade margin in the range of 75–120%;
• Availability, simplicity and low cost of commercial equipment;
• Numerous tea business franchises;
• A small area of ​​​​an average outlet;
• Growing popularity of quality loose leaf tea;
• Minor seasonal fluctuations in demand;
• Long shelf life of tea - at least 12-24 months.

The disadvantages and risks in the tea business include:

• The dependence of the price of products on the economic situation and the exchange rate - 99% of tea on the Russian market are of foreign origin;
• Increasing competition in the tea market segment, requiring careful development of advertising and marketing strategies;
• Low demand for business in small towns.

Activity registration

The tea business in Russia is not accompanied by licensing or the need to obtain special permits. At the same time, the operation of any food retail outlet is impossible without an impressive number of other documents, the execution of which can take 2-3 months. These terms must be taken into account in the business plan of the tea shop when drawing up the calendar plan.

When registering a trading enterprise, as an organizational and legal form, you can specify an individual entrepreneur (if independent activity is supposed) or LLC (if there are several founders). The second option should also be chosen if it is necessary to independently import tea, as well as to attract venture capital investments.

The recommended taxation system is the STS at a rate of 6% or UTII (if available in the region). At the same time, simplified tax reporting and the need to submit declarations only once a year allow additional savings on the services of an accountant.

In addition to standard documents on the registration of an enterprise, registration of a tax payer and an extract with the decoding of OKVED codes, opening a tea shop as a business requires registration:

• Lease agreements or certificates of ownership of the premises;
• Conclusions of the sanitary service;
• Conclusions of the fire authorities;
• Permits for retail trade from the local administration;
• Sanitary books for sellers;
• Agreements on waste removal and disinfestation;
• Certificates of registration of CCA and conclusions on the verification of scales.

Also, suppliers need to require quality certificates for the goods, which are issued when purchasing each batch of tea.

tea shop business plan

The development of a business plan for a tea shop with calculations should be preceded by a preparatory stage - familiarization with the specifics of the tea trade, solving organizational issues and conducting marketing research, during which the following questions should be answered:

• Is this type of product popular in a particular city?
• How many active competitors are present on the market, what are their strengths and weaknesses?
• What types of tea are popular with consumers?
• What is the composition of the target audience?

In accordance with the data received, it is possible to determine the format of the outlet, select suppliers and adjust the pricing policy. In general, the business plan for a tea cafe should contain the following sections:

1. Description of the proposed assortment with prices, conditions and delivery times for different suppliers;
2. Possible marketing activities and advertising strategy with an assessment of the effectiveness of various communication channels;
3. Costs associated with finding and repairing a suitable premises, criteria for assessing the suitability of such for opening a tea business in 2017;
4. The staffing of the enterprise;
5. List of commercial equipment, furniture and lighting devices;
6. Investment plan indicating the amounts and methods of obtaining funds;
7. Sales plan with break-even point calculation;
8. Economic performance indicators of the project;
9. Possible risks and ways to manage them;
10. A calendar plan describing how to open a tea business from scratch in stages, indicating intermediate milestones.

Supplier search

The success of the tea business in 2017 largely depends on the right choice of suppliers. Considering that almost all products on the domestic market are of foreign origin, the most obvious thing seems to be the search for contacts of foreign partners and the import of tea.

However, in practice, this option turns out to be viable only when ordering goods from China - and in fact the assortment of the store implies the presence of Ceylon, Indian, Japanese tea. Therefore, due to high transport and customs costs, tea imports become profitable only with deliveries measured in hundreds of kilograms: only a very large chain of stores can sell such a quantity of goods.

In such a situation, there is no other way out, except for cooperation with domestic wholesale suppliers. Preference should be given to companies located in Moscow or St. Petersburg: even taking into account the cost of delivery, it is more profitable to buy tea from them than from regional representatives - the latter are not distinguished by modesty in pricing policy.

Tea business - profitable or not? To answer this question, you need to compare the prices of suppliers for the most popular commodity items with retail prices set in retail outlets in a particular city and in popular online stores.

The largest operators of the tea market include:

• LLC "Partnership of tea merchants";
• LLC "Tsar's Compound";
• LLC "Russian Tea Company";
• Forsman LLC;
• Alef Coffee Tea LLC.

Location and interior

It is believed that a good location is 90% of the success of a retail store. Of course, saving on rent will not lead to success, however, expensive premises on the main street often do not justify the money invested in it. When drawing up a business plan for a tea shop, it is important to find the right balance between the purchasing power of the target audience and the proposed assortment. In the center, you can put up expensive goods, and placing a retail outlet in a residential area suggests more affordable prices. When choosing the location of the future store, you should pay attention to:

• The number of pedestrians passing by the entrance to the store at different times of the day;
• The presence of public transport stops in the immediate vicinity;
• The number of cars passing per hour on the near side of the road;
• Availability of convenient parking;
• Visibility of the sign and entrance from the sidewalk, roadway;
• The presence of a separate entrance and the need for landscaping.

To open a tea shop, you need to choose a well-ventilated room of 20–25 m² that meets the specified requirements. Additionally, business prospects can be assessed according to the following criteria:

• Is there enough public transport available in the area?
• Is it difficult to find vendors in the area?
• Are there problems with sanitary and communal services?
• Is there enough street lighting in the area?
• Do potential shop customers live nearby?
• What is the population density of the area, the social status of residents, income level?

In addition, it is desirable to assess the general condition of the premises, the availability of repairs, plumbing, bathrooms, the ability to equip a warehouse, after which you can proceed to the conclusion of a lease agreement and the development of interior design.

Considering, it should be noted that the methodology in both cases is different: for retail, the external design of the outlet is of great importance. In the case of a tea shop, this role is played by a signboard that must correspond to the format of the outlet: a cheap light box or a shield made of self-adhesive film is categorically contraindicated for a store that sells expensive luxury goods. The same statement is true for the title.

The interior design of a tea shop should also be developed with the involvement of a designer: the interior, among other things, is an effective tool for stimulating sales. Preference is given to natural materials, classic style, natural colors in dark shades and directional subdued lighting.

Equipment

A tea shop is a business that does not require the purchase of refrigeration units, warming cabinets and other expensive equipment. The main condition: showcases and shelves should be harmoniously integrated into the interior in accordance with the chosen style and color scheme. You can buy a ready-made version from suppliers or order the manufacture of shelving from craftsmen. To equip the outlet will have to purchase:

Trade equipment and equipment

Name	price, rub.	Quantity	Cost, rub.
electronic scales	5 000	1	5 000
Trade counter	6 500	3	19 500
Showcases and shelves	11 500	10	115 000
Cash register	19 000	1	19 000
Outdoor advertising	20 000	1	20 000
A uniform	8 000	2	16 000
Scoops, baskets, trays	20 000	1	20 000
Light fixtures	15 000	1	15 000
Tea jars	200	100	20 000
Package	10	2 000	20 000
Total:			265 000

The specified number of packaging bags is enough for one and a half to two months of work. You can order them at the printing house, where the company logo and the name of the tea shop will be applied to the paper. Tea jars are used in glass or tin, with a capacity of one to two liters: in the first, the goods are more clearly demonstrated, and secondly, they are better stored.

Range

When the repair work in the future store is close to completion, you can start placing orders with the selected suppliers. About 350,000 rubles will have to be spent on filling a tea shop, of which 250,000 rubles will be used to buy a supply of tea, and 100,000 rubles will be used to purchase related products (kettles, strainers, special knives, French presses, gift boxes, etc.). Placing these products in the window will increase the average bill and will become an impulse purchase for those who buy tea for the first time or who are going to give a gift.

At the initial stage of forming the assortment, you should choose 80–100 of the most popular varieties and refrain from buying exotic species. Over time, it will become clear what the secrets of the tea business are, what products are in demand in a particular outlet, what is the seasonal dependence of demand, and what teas are not interesting for customers.

Known varieties are best sold at a price of 250-400 rubles per 100 grams. 80% of stocks of goods should be exactly these types of products. Expensive teas (from 2500-3500 rubles per 100 grams) should be added very carefully, in an amount of no more than 5-6 positions. It is not recommended to take as a basis the assortment of virtual outlets, since that is not always in demand in an ordinary tea shop.

Tea is classified by type (white, green, black, red, with additives, flavored), origin (India, China, Ceylon) and leaf size (from the first to the third grade). To fill the store you should buy:

Assortment in the store

Name	Price
Tea
Black tea, 100 g	250–1300
Green tea, 100 g	350–1300
White tea, 100 g	350–2400
Red tea, 100 g	250–700
Flavored black tea, 100 g	190–700
Flavored green tea, 100 g	190–1200
Oolong, 100 g	250–2900
Pu-erh, 100 g	250–2500
Blends, 100 g	190–500
Related products
tea service	600–5000
gift jar	150–380
Tea ceremony set	1500–3500
Gift bag	80–160
teaspoon	150–300
Teapot	380–5000
bowl	250–400
Mate set	1900–2500
Pu-erh knife	100–250
Strainer for a cup	170–400
Brewing ball	180–400

Financial investments

To determine the minimum amount of start-up capital, it should be taken into account that investments in opening a new outlet depend on several factors:

• Location and area of ​​the future store;
• Estimated assortment and prices of the supplier;
• Number of sales staff;
• Expenses for repairs and decoration of the premises.

As a basis for an example of a business plan for a tea shop with calculations, we use a rented room of 20 m², which requires cosmetic repairs. Interior design will be ordered from a designer working at a rate of 1,500 rubles per square meter, the repair of a trading floor - from a construction company at a rate of 3,000 rubles per square meter (average prices for large cities). Approximately the same amount will have to purchase building materials. The rent will be 1,000 rubles per 1 m² per month, which corresponds to the prices for premises in the city center or a large shopping center. The cost of opening and maintaining a retail outlet includes:

Initial Costs

Current expenses

The outlet's staff consists of two sales assistants working in shifts and a part-time cleaner serving the store. Accounting is transferred to an outsourcing company by concluding a subscription service agreement.

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Profit and profitability

Tea business - profitable or not? When calculating the yield, we use the average figures given by franchise owners and experienced businessmen. For a store located on a high street or mall in a city with more than 500,000 inhabitants, the input data looks like this:

• Patency - 100 people per day;
• Buying activity - 30% of visitors;
• Average check - 500 rubles;
• The average trade margin is 100%.

With this number of customers, the store's monthly turnover will be 450,000 rubles (or 180–200 kg of tea), and the net profit, minus operating expenses, will be 100,000 rubles. Considering that the planned sales volumes are reached approximately in the second or third month of operation, it can be assumed that investments in opening a tea shop will pay off in 9–12 months with a profitability of 26–30%.

findings

Opening a tea shop requires quite serious preparation. A novice entrepreneur should be aware that the main thing in this business is not at all a bright sign, exclusive design of the premises or professionally trained staff. All efforts to launch a business may be in vain if there is no main source of income - the target audience, which is based on buyers who are ready to come to the other end of the city for a bag of their favorite variety and pay a lot of money for it. Therefore, the improvement of the culture of tea consumption and the popularization of a quality product should be given as much attention as other business processes.

Specialized tea shops are in fairly steady demand. Original boxes and bright packaging attract casual buyers, forcing them to make unplanned purchases. In our country, about 85% of the population drink tea daily, so the demand for such a product remains stable in any economic environment. In this article, we will tell you in detail how to start a tea business from scratch in Russia.

Features of the tea business

Everything related to demanded goods and services, including tea. But do not forget that the trade in such products is a rather specific occupation. Domestic consumers are accustomed to cheap low-quality goods with various flavoring additives. Many people consider raspberry or lemon flavored tea bags to be the height of perfection. It is unlikely that they will buy real tea with a pleasant taste, which costs several times more. Based on this, we can conclude that marketing in the tea business is a very important aspect that requires special attention. Nowadays it is difficult to find people who are competent in this field, so you must hire real specialists who can convey to consumers all the benefits of quality tea.

Before you open a tea business from scratch, you need to understand all the features and nuances of this line of business. Tea is always in demand as it is hard to find a person who does not love this delicious aromatic hot drink. In order to open a tea shop business, you will need certain investments, but they will pay off in the shortest possible time. For your business to be successful, you need to set a clear goal and gradually move towards it.

If you don't know anything about this industry, start with a franchise. Thanks to this, you can get the necessary knowledge and help from specialists at the initial, most difficult stage. After you understand all the processes, you can open another outlet, but on your own, without using well-known brands.

Advantages and disadvantages

have their strengths and weaknesses. This also applies to the tea trade.

Pros:

• Not a very large start-up capital. You do not have to buy expensive equipment, rent a huge room and purchase a large consignment of goods;
• Tea is not a perishable product, so it does not require special storage conditions. You don't have to worry about selling the item quickly because it might go bad;
• Demand for such products is not subject to seasonal fluctuations;
• Along with tea, you can sell various related products;
• A specialized tea shop as a business is an elegant and rather prestigious line of business. Trade in tea brings pleasure not only to sellers, but also to buyers. No one will remain indifferent to the aromas hovering in the tea shop.

Minuses:

• High level of competition.

This question cannot be answered unambiguously. Experts recommend choosing an area related to essential goods. They rate the tea trade as a highly profitable business, so you can't go wrong if you start working in this direction.

Business plan

Sample business plan for a tea shop:

• Summary. In this paragraph, it is necessary to describe the purpose of the project, the approximate amount of initial investment and key financial indicators of the project;
• A short description of the industry and the company;
• Product description. What is included in the assortment of the outlet;
• Sales and marketing. Development of a marketing strategy;
• Production plan. Equipment and personnel;
• Organizational plan. Distribution of duties;
• Financial plan. Costs and profits;
• Evaluation of the effectiveness of the project;
• Risks and guarantees.

Location

Before you open a tea business from scratch, you need to find a suitable premises for a retail outlet. Be sure to check that there are no competitor stores nearby. The lease agreement must be signed for at least 1 year, at least 6 months. For a small room located in a passable place, you will have to pay about 20 thousand rubles a month.

1. Shop with its own tasting room. The main advantage of this trading format is that the buyer can choose the appropriate option during the tea ceremony. This approach opens up broad prospects for business development. But in order to equip a tasting room, you need to rent a spacious room, and this is too expensive for a novice entrepreneur. Such an outlet should be located on one of the central streets with high traffic;
2. A small tea shop, the area of ​​​​which does not exceed 10-15 square meters. meters. It is better to rent a room for a cozy boutique in a residential area or in the center. This option is suitable for entrepreneurs who are limited in financial resources;
3. An island or a small department in a shopping center. Such an outlet can be opened with minimal investment.

Arrangement of the premises

As a rule, they are associated with essential goods, which include tea. To attract the attention of consumers to your product, you need to design your outlet in an original way. Even if you rent a room that has recently been renovated, you will have to redo it in your own way. It is important to remember that tea is one of the products that are bought impulsively. If your store stands out from others, a person will definitely look into it and make a purchase. A cozy atmosphere helps customers return to the store again, and the original showcase makes your outlet prestigious.

Each entrepreneur designs a store to his taste. Include in your business plan for a tea shop the cost of acquiring special racks, a quality electric kettle, and beautiful cups in which you will brew tea for tasting. Several small tables can be placed under the windows so that customers can enjoy a fragrant drink on the spot and decide on its choice.

You decide. But if you are attracted to the tea trade, feel free to bring it to life. You should not refuse such a promising and profitable project.

Equipment

Buying equipment for a tea shop does not require large financial investments from you. This is one of the important advantages of this business. Freezers or refrigerated display cases are not needed for the tea trade. All you need to buy:

• Glass or plastic jars for trade in tea by weight;
• Special scoops;
• Scales;
• Shelving;
• Showcases;
• Cash register.

Equipment for a small tea shop will cost you 100-150 thousand rubles. If you're looking to save some money, search the internet or your local media for used shelving and display cabinets.

Tea production scheme

Search for suppliers, assortment

Find examples of a tea shop business plan with calculations on the Internet and draw up your own guide to action based on it. Pay special attention to the assortment. It is desirable that it be as wide as possible. If there are several tea shops in your city, you need to offer consumers some unique product that your competitors do not sell.

Varieties and varieties of tea should be presented in different price segments for visitors with different levels of income, at least 30-40 items. It is necessary to include in the assortment popular varieties that are in demand among regular customers and several original offers for casual buyers.

Modern people care about their health, so natural herbal teas have recently become popular. They must be present in the range. For goods that are sold by weight, you need to purchase gift and regular tasting packages.

To increase the profitability of the business, you can include various sweets for tea in the product range - cookies, sweets, cakes, etc. You can also sell accessories for the tea ceremony - sets, strainers, beautiful teapots, etc.

A business plan for a tea shop should also include a clause about suppliers. If you plan to open several outlets and purchase goods in large quantities, you can arrange direct deliveries from manufacturers. Owners of small tea shops usually order products from importers who have official representations in different cities of our country. Their contact details can be found on the Internet at electronic trading platforms, in directories and e-commerce centers. Before agreeing on cooperation, carefully read the reviews about suppliers and their products. If you buy low-quality products, the tea shop as a business will not bring good profits.

Implementation Features

When it comes to tea, it is important that the assortment of the store contains goods for different segments of the population:

• Tea bags;
• Leaf and granulated tea;
• Bulk products;
• Herbal preparations;
• Fruit drinks.

You should offer tea from different manufacturers - Indian, Chinese, Ceylon, etc.

An important role in this matter is played by the margin on the goods. The amount of profit and the success of your business largely depends on a competent pricing policy. Before you open a tea business from scratch and set a certain percentage markup on the goods, go shopping and fix prices. The best option is 70-100%.

When you open your store, offer each customer a nice little gift so that they come back to you again. It can be a small pack of tea, cookies or fresh pastries.

Advertising

Like any other business, selling tea requires high-quality, effective advertising. At first, you should not spend big money on expensive billboards and streamers. It is enough to make a bright attractive sign and a small advertising pillar.

According to experts, marketing in the tea business is practically no different from advertising any other product. Traditional methods:

• Gifts to customers at the opening;
• Discount cards for regular customers;
• Signs on the sidewalk leading to the store;
• Distribution of flyers;
• Stock.

Financial investments

In order to open a tea shop, you will have to invest a certain amount:

• Premises rental - 20-50 thousand rubles;
• The cost of paying utility bills - 10 thousand rubles;
• Equipment - 100-150 thousand rubles;
• Purchase of goods - 200 thousand rubles;
• Advertising - 20 thousand rubles;
• Salary to employees - 35 thousand rubles;
• Additional expenses - 15 thousand rubles.

Total: 480 thousand rubles.

Profit

So, you have decided to open a tea business, is such an occupation profitable or not? The average turnover of a small tea shop is 150 thousand rubles. At the stage of formation, net income will not exceed the amount of 45-60 thousand rubles. If you start a tea business from scratch, the entire investment will pay off in one year. For some varieties, you can put a markup of 100%.

According to experts, the tea trade is highly profitable. It is best to open such an outlet at the end of summer. A competent tea shop business plan with calculations, detailed market analysis and an effective marketing strategy will save you from the problems that arise in the process of organizing a new promising business.

• Proper storage conditions must be provided. If a person buys low-quality products from you, he will no longer come to your store;
• If you are in doubt whether it is worth opening a tea business, whether such a business is profitable or not, carefully analyze the market in your area to determine the demand for this product;
• Carefully check all tax reports and all documentation, because the Federal Tax Service can come to you at any time with a check;
• If you are writing a business plan yourself, give it to experienced professionals for verification;
• Make a colorful catalog with a brief description of each type of tea;
• Create your website on the Internet so that customers can get acquainted remotely with the range of products and prices.

findings

We have considered the main features of the tea business, whether it is profitable or not to engage in such a business is up to you. To achieve success in this business, you need to correctly form an assortment, choose a good place for a retail outlet and hire experienced sales assistants.

A business plan for a tea shop is easy to find on request on the Internet. From the name it is clear which food product becomes the main object of business. The tea business exists in several forms, each of which has its own business plan, features and subtleties. We will try to reveal the topic of tea as much as possible, and everything connected with it.

The main distinguishing feature of this business is that, despite the love for it and the habit of drinking tea several times a day, there are no ancient traditions associated with this part of the diet in our country.

The reason for this lies in the geographical location of our vast territory:

1. Our eastern neighbors, China and Japan, have similar traditions, this fact is known to every person.
2. But the fact that there are similar traditions in the Western world, in particular in England, is surprising to most of our fellow citizens. It is clear that tea is not grown in this country, but the centuries-old presence, and then the rule of India, one of the countries selling tea of ​​all kinds on the world market, could not but leave a mark on the culture of the country of Foggy Albion.
3. In India, tea began to be cultivated not so long ago, from the middle of the 19th century, when suitable varieties were brought there from China.
4. Thanks to one of the most characteristic features of the British - following the traditions, to this day, tea at 17 o'clock is observed in English homes, regardless of wealth.

As for our country, long before the first appearance of tea itself, our ancestors brewed herbs growing nearby in a similar way. It is customary to treat certain diseases with such a decoction, since their healing properties are no longer in doubt. And then it was just a drink that quenches thirst, although the fact that each herb affects the human body has long been experimentally determined.

Our contemporaries and people of the older generation perceive tea, first of all, as a tonic drink. But for the tea business, the deep-rooted habit of Russians to invite guests "for a cup of tea" became the main help. It does not matter that, as a rule, such gatherings are not limited to tea, it is still served at the table along with sweets and flour products.

But our fellow citizens got acquainted with the specific and varietal diversity of tea not so long ago, by historical standards, about 30 years ago, when a stream of foreign products flooded the shelves and markets. Today's pensioners remember well the assortment of this product in Soviet stores, consisting of a maximum of 6 types: Krasnodar, Georgian (black and green), Azerbaijani, Ceylon, and the most expensive and high-quality Indian, all of them were presented in three varieties.

Going into any tea shop today, every unprepared person's head will go round from hundreds of varieties and types of tea. Just to read their names and understand how this or that differs from the rest, it will take more than one hour.

Information regarding the quality of coffee and tea of ​​a particular manufacturer, its effect on the body and compliance with regulatory standards, is poured on TV viewers and Internet users. The vast majority of it is explained not at all by concern for the health of the nation, but by unclean methods of competition.

A distinctive feature of the tea business is that despite all the information about tea (or thanks to it) and the calls not to save on this product, people who are part of the "low-income" or "middle class" population do not tend to think long and hard when choosing tea. . The main thing is that the price matches the possibilities of the wallet, as a rule, it is cheap tea bags. The percentage of such a population, according to sociologists, is at least 40% of all citizens, which is a lot.

And even among people who are financially prosperous, making conscious choices about food and drink, the percentage of those who do so remains low.

In order to change this situation and instill in the citizens of the country the habit of choosing high-quality tea, and at the same time improve their financial well-being, first in large cities, and then in medium-sized ones (100-300 thousand), tea shops, shops and departments began to open. The very fact that the tea business is developing in different economic conditions speaks of its versatility and guaranteed demand for products.

Citizens vacationing abroad, whether in Europe or Asia, began to evaluate the taste of not only alcoholic beverages, but also tea. If the experience was successful, and some variety was brought to the homeland, then its owner tries to find a similar one here.

The role of marketing and advertising in the sale of tea as a business cannot be overestimated. Despite the past 30 years with different varieties of tea, for most people, tea with lemon or raspberry remains the top of the taste sensations. In order to convince such people to buy a new variety that combines natural fillers that Russians have never heard of, a well-thought-out advertising and marketing program needs to be carried out. The advantage here is that the change of favorites in this food segment occurs very quickly, word of mouth, based on subjective opinion, constantly changes its priorities, and with them the filling of tea shops also changes.

Before opening a teahouse, they are determined with the specific form of such an institution:

• whether it will be a separate store or a department in a supermarket;
• whether there will be a tasting or sale of related products.

These subtleties affect the preparation of a business plan, the amount of start-up capital and the period of its return in the form of profit.

Another specific feature of the tea business is the lack of specialists who understand the intricacies of tea production technology, its taste and the effect of certain components on the body.

They are only in expensive restaurants and cafes of oriental cuisine in the capital of our country. For example, a coffee specialist (barista) or wine specialist (sommelier) can be found in the provinces. Next, we will tell you all the intricacies of a tea shop and business ideas for opening it.

To decide for yourself whether the tea business is profitable or not, you can thoroughly study all the pros and cons of this work.

A similar business of future competitors is subjected to analytical research, this is done even before the start of work, so that later it will not be too late. Only on the basis of this information, a conclusion is made about the financial side of this type of activity, and its specific forms of conduct.

The pros and cons of the tea business depend on the format of work, just like financial investments.

pros

Here are some obvious benefits to keep in mind before opening a tea shop:

1. Opportunity to start a business without a multimillion-dollar start-up capital. Statistics show that this amount is 400-500 thousand rubles, depending on the region and the specifics of the work. Of course, there is no need to talk about any formulations of an “idea from scratch”.
2. Suitable conditions for storing tea are in any shopping center, the main thing is dry air. Temperature does not affect the safety and commercial quality of products.
3. The lack of binding interest in tea from the time of year and holidays. Unless, before them, the number of those wishing to purchase a package of fragrant tea as a gift is increasing.
4. You can sell not only tea, but also related products, such as teapots, tea strainers, tea sets. The formation of gift sets, including several varieties of a drink, depends on the imagination of the organizer of the case.
5. New opportunities are opened by a tea shop, where you can not only buy your favorite drink, but also taste it, sitting in a comfortable chair in a calm, warm atmosphere. There are still few such establishments, and competition in this segment is weak.
6. If there is an acute desire to engage in tea, but there is no start-up capital, they begin to work on a franchise that does not require investments. Money is given in process of realization.
7. Confidence in financial well-being inspires an average trade margin of 100-150%.

The benefits are enough to make the decision to open a tea shop (business).

But the disadvantages must be assessed adequately.

Minuses

There are not so many of them as pluses, but each of them does not depend on the efforts of the entrepreneur:

1. Dependence on the economy and exchange rates. Tea is purchased from abroad, and therefore its price is directly dependent on exchange rate fluctuations. The high purchase price does not allow trading with a large margin, as the financial well-being of the population leaves much to be desired.
2. Tough competition in medium and large cities and lack of demand in small towns.
3. Possible problems with the purchase of specific varieties and types of tea.
4. Advertising costs are obligatory, its role in this business cannot be overestimated. Bread, meat and milk will be bought without advertising, but tea without advertising will be taken only cheap, packaged, sold in chain stores.

If, after evaluating the benefits and possible risks, a decision is made to start work, the first step is to draw up a business plan for a tea shop with calculations.

It includes the main organizational points and financial costs.

When drawing up a business plan for a tea shop, I take into account the following steps and their costs:

• legal registration of the case;
• supplier search;
• selection of premises for the store;
• purchase of equipment for the outlet;
• hiring employees;
• marketing and advertising costs.

After these steps are completed, there is no need to search for information on the Internet on the problem of "how to open a tea shop from scratch."

Registration of a business selling tea and coffee

Any work begins with the official registration of your offspring, they choose between a legal entity (LLC, as a rule) and an individual entrepreneur. To stop the choice on one of the two forms, you need an understanding of the format of work. If it will be a small tea shop or a counter in a store, without employees, with the sale of tea, it will be faster and easier to set up an individual business.

If, even at the start, a businessman has far-reaching plans for business development, including expanding the range, creating a network of tea shops, and hiring professional managers, then it is better to immediately register a legal entity. This process will take more time and money than in the case of registering an individual entrepreneur (only the authorized capital is at least 10,000 rubles), but the opportunities will be higher.

As for taxation, taking into account the fixed costs of purchasing goods, the simplified taxation system (simplified system) is suitable at a rate of 15%.

Supplier search

The prosperity of the whole business depends on how successful and profitable the purchases of the initial product will be. It is up to the businessman to establish relations with direct suppliers from China, India or Indonesia, or opt for Russian intermediaries. One cannot discount the difficulties of concluding an international treaty and the related problems of currency control.

Whichever supplier option is chosen, you cannot stop at one. This is due to a possible decrease in the quality of familiar products, and in this case, the choice of suppliers is mandatory.

As for the range, 90% of buyers buy black tea with or without additives. True, now this percentage is decreasing in favor of green tea. Therefore, other colors such as yellow, green, white and red account for the remaining 10%.

By leaf size and type of processing should be presented: large and medium leaf, granular, pressed, instant and loose.

By composition, they buy regular teas, and those that do not contain caffeine, and fruit mixtures, and herbal teas for adherents of a healthy lifestyle.

The main requirement for the assortment of the store is that anyone who enters the store must find a product that matches the thickness of the wallet and taste preferences.

Before paying for the first batch of goods, they study reviews about this supplier, the period of work on the market, and its range.

Shop space

This cost item entirely depends on the financial capabilities of the novice businessman and the courage of his future plans. The general requirement for any format of an institution is to be in the central parts of the city, at a distance of 100-200 meters from transport stops, only a true gourmet will overcome the longer way for "brewing", as tea is sometimes called. The rest prefer not to search, but to buy in the nearest store.

The area of ​​the premises varies from 8-10 square meters of retail space for a tea department in shopping centers, to 25-30 meters for a separate store with the opportunity to immediately drink tea and relax. In the latter version, the area is prudently divided into three zones: directly for tasting, selling packaged tea, and tea by weight with the possibility of making mixes. This does not include storage facilities, which are required.

Whatever area you choose, it is advisable to conclude a lease agreement for 11 months at once in order to exclude an unforeseen increase in rent.

Point of sale equipment

Fill the store area with standard food outlet equipment. First of all, these are racks and showcases, preferably open or with glass doors, for product review.

In addition to the online cash register, electronic scales and packaging for tea, an appropriate number of tin or glass jars for tea are purchased, which are placed on display cases, and are preliminarily provided with labels with the name and a brief description of the composition.

The goal achieved by the successful equipment of the store is to create a cozy and warm environment that makes visitors want to return here after a certain time again.

To make the atmosphere literally warm, it would be good to take care of the presence of a door behind which the entire space of the shop exudes captivating smells of tea, it will also cut off extraneous odors that prevent customers from making a choice of goods.

Staff

For a tea shop with an area of ​​8-10 meters, two people are enough, who simultaneously perform the functions of sellers and managers. The main thing is that they be polite, competent and able to find an approach to buyers from different segments of the population.

If the store also provides catering services (tea tasting and tea drinking), the requirements for girls are formulated more strictly. Goodwill, the ability to competently conduct a dialogue, unobtrusively offer different varieties of tea for tasting, present extensive information about the method of production and the features of each of the presented types of products come to the fore.

The success of the business and the reputation of the store depend on how well the staff copes with the work.

These two components of the business will help you understand the problems of “how to open a tea and coffee shop from scratch” or “how to open a tea business from scratch”, because without them there is no way.

Like all sales, the tea (and coffee) trade depends on the number of store visitors. All advertising moves and marketing subtleties are aimed at increasing their number, but advertising costs always pay off.

In order for a person to want to return to the store, and even better - to tell friends and acquaintances how cool and great everything is there (the best advertisement), he must immediately remember the name of the outlet. The exception is the department in the shopping center, although it is better to hang a sign with the name there. Therefore, an original and short name is the first step to success.

• an online store of the same name, groups in social networks are created on the Internet;
• on local television and radio;
• in print media;
• distribution of colorful booklets with promotions.

By the way, about promotions: promotions in the form of tea parties to take away (in the warm season) or tea gatherings in the store (in winter), where leisure time will be brightened up with tea stories mixed with legends, will become a win-win option.

Financial calculations

As for the summing up of economic feasibility, the calculations given by successfully operating firms selling tea and related products indicate an average payback period for start-up capital (400-500 thousand rubles) within 1-1.5 years.

The specific numbers of the financial plan depend on what the emphasis is on in trade: on popular and inexpensive varieties that are bought in bulk by people, or on exquisite varieties that are waiting for a connoisseur buyer for several weeks.

The main cost items are: rent of premises, purchase of goods, salaries to sellers, advertising campaign. We do not give any average prices, since their "run-up" depending on the location of the outlet is very large. How to compare Moscow and the regional center of the Arkhangelsk region, if these are different economic realities.

The resulting profit also depends not least on the diversity of the assortment. The wider it is, the more likely it is that each visitor will find tea to their liking and wallet.

Before opening a tea shop, it is necessary to weigh all the “pros” and “cons”, calculate the economic calculations, evaluate existing business competitors, and only after that start working.

Some start the morning with a cup of coffee, while others consider tea to be an invigorating drink (we are not talking about cheap packaged tea, but about high-quality, certified according to all the rules).

The constant growth of the army of lovers of this ancient drink creates a favorable environment for the development of entrepreneurial activity. A well-written business plan allows you to avoid many sharp corners.

Market and competitor analysis

This section is a mandatory part of this document. Analysis of the market situation not only attracts the attention of a potential investor, but also allows you to understand many complex situations.

It is worth paying special attention to the premises in which the store will be located in the future.

A well-organized advertising campaign can significantly increase the number of customers. The secret of business success lies in the fact that advertising should not contain information about a particular type of tea, but about a specific elite tea shop. Based on this, the consumer has an opinion that each presented variety has a unique taste and unsurpassed aroma.

An analysis of the main competitors is necessary in order to:

• develop a marketing strategy for the most effective product positioning;
• predict sales plan;
• determine the optimal assortment and develop a product policy;
• set the right prices for products;
• develop a product: select the properties and key characteristics of the product;
• consider a promotion strategy.

You can learn detailed instructions for developing a document from the following video:

Format Options

This area involves the start of activities in accordance with one of the following formats:

• Stand-alone shop with a rich assortment. Most buyers tend to buy an expensive elite variety only so that they can proudly offer it to guests. Starting in accordance with this option is the most difficult. The area of ​​the room should be chosen based on the number of equipment, assortment, showcases. In the store you can sell not only tea, but also related products. Alternatively, you can even put a few tables and organize a small cafe.
• tea shop. The main distinguishing feature of this format is the predominance of loose tea. At a price, it is somewhat more expensive than usual, which becomes invisible against the background of a wider range and unique taste. The size of capital investments increases in proportion to the increase in the cost of production. Renting is no less important.
• tea department. Novice businessmen prefer this option, since it does not need to look for a large room, the main thing is that the place is crowded and highly passable. The cost is much lower than if you planned to open your own store. In the future, you can open several more departments in other parts of the city and organize a small network of your own.

Production plan

The optimal value of the area of ​​the future point - 30 sq. m., and the best location is the first line of a busy quarter. The city center is a great option, but very expensive. It is also not recommended to open in a residential area, since, apart from cheapness, there are no more positive aspects here.

It is best if the store is located in the area where people who consider themselves to be middle class live and work, as well as where the highest concentration of "office plankton" is observed. It is better to delete the working microdistrict and the industrial zone from the list, since the primary goal of the entrepreneur is to earn money, and not to introduce the culture of tea consumption to the masses.

The rent varies between 1000-3000 rubles. for 1 sq. m., that is, the monthly rent will be about 30-90 thousand rubles.

The success of the store lies in good design, quality equipment and well-trained staff. Thus, corporate identity, employee uniforms, signage, furniture, office equipment and even packaging bags are recommended to be kept in one design solution.

After the nature of the future point, its style and scale has been determined, you can begin to purchase the necessary equipment. This business requires shelving and shelves, cabinets, containers, shovels, coasters, scales and a cash register.

If the store has found a place for a tasting area, then you should take care of tables and chairs or a bar counter. If a businessman plans to delight visitors with a freshly prepared fragrant drink, then you need to purchase a teapot, cups and spoons.

Financial plan

To open such a business, you will need to spend about 750,000 rubles during the first year, including:

• passing the state registration procedure - 10,000 rubles;
• monthly rental payment - 30,000 rubles;
• decoration of the premises - 25,000 rubles;
• purchase of equipment and all necessary accessories - 50,000 rubles;
• salary - 15,000 rubles. - at the beginning of the activity it is not recommended to hire a seller, it is better to work a little on your own;
• purchase of tea - 80,000 rubles. - for the first 2 months of work is enough;
• utility bills - 5,000 rubles. monthly.

organizational plan

Before the flurry of opening a store begins, you should figure out what documents you need to prepare, who should certify them and how much you need to pay for it.

After the official registration is completed, you can start purchasing an assortment that can satisfy any consumer needs. Large and medium-sized outlets should have both expensive and quite budget varieties.

In addition to tea, you should purchase several fruit and herbal mixtures, blends, flower drinks and various coffees. Do not disregard sweets, but not those that can be found on the counter of any store, but some original ones.

The business plan must contain a clause regarding optimal number and qualification of employees. Of course, in a tiny shop you can cope on your own, but with a changer it will be much more convenient. Moreover, someone has to negotiate with suppliers, deal with documents, monitor the health of equipment and replenish the assortment.

A recruiting agency can help with finding a suitable candidate, but no one has canceled a personal conversation with the applicant. At the same time, a neat appearance, competent speech and the ability to win over a buyer deserve attention. If you plan to hold tastings, then you need to find out from the applicant in advance whether he knows how to brew tea correctly and whether he is familiar with the traditions related to tea drinking.

Business continuity is impossible without reliable product supplier. Direct communication with the manufacturer is only available for a large enterprise or network. And the owner of a modest store is unlikely to be able to buy a large batch, and its implementation is far from fast.

Therefore, it is better to find a regional representative who sells tea in bulk by weight.

Marketing plan

The most proven marketing methods in this area include free tastings, gifts, small souvenirs, promotions and charity events. The client must be sure that the bonuses he has earned will not go anywhere, so he will have to spend a little money on accumulative discount cards.

In addition, you can advertise on your own website, in social network groups, on television or in the media. Business allows you to experiment with marketing, for example, the buyer will definitely appreciate if, along with the purchase, he will be given a small booklet telling about a particular type of tea, or a colorful bookmark with interesting facts about tea traditions.

Launch Schedule

The main stages of opening include the following points:

No. p / p	Stage name	Implementation period
1	Drawing up a business plan	September 2016
2	Official registration with the tax service	October 2016
3	Renting or buying a suitable retail space	October 2016
4	Purchase of equipment and furniture (if necessary)	November 2016
5	Search for a suitable regional representative and conclusion of an agreement with him for the supply of tea and accessories	November 2016
6	Start of activity	December 2016

Risk Analysis

For this activity, as for any other, the following are characteristic:

• Commercial risks. For example, the level of demand for a product may decrease, the purchase price may change, or the value of the saturation of the competitive environment may increase.
• intracompany risks - unprofessionalism of superiors and employees, transfer of valuable commercial information to competitors, etc.

They are inherent in any business, so you should not be afraid of them, you just need to insure yourself with preventive measures that can prevent them or even prevent them.

Is there a person who would do without tea these days? Probably not. Tea consumption in Russia is very common. Breakfasts, lunches and dinners, business and friendly communication are almost always accompanied by a cup of tea. In shops you can buy almost any kind of tea, from inexpensive to elite.

As we can see, opening a teahouse can be a very profitable business, since there will always be a demand for tea.

How to open your own tea shop?

The effectiveness of the implementation of this idea is characterized by the level of profitability, which will directly depend on the thoughtfulness of the idea. It is necessary to pay attention to the choice of premises, the quality of service personnel, delivery issues and the range of goods.

Room for tea

The main selection criterion is the "patency" of the place. Visiting a tearoom is most often impulsive. A person passes by, sees an attractive sign, notes the cozy atmosphere of the establishment, and becomes a regular customer of the teahouse, unless, of course, the service and assortment suit him.

There are two options for a tea room:

one. " Cafe in Cafe". The ideal option would be to rent a room in a large supermarket - at the food court. The room can be small, for example 30 square meters. In the main room there should be a place for an additional one, with an area of ​​​​5-10 square meters, which will serve as a pantry. Store tea in a warm, dry and dark place that is well ventilated.

2. Specialized cafe - tea. If the influx of potential customers is provided by default when using the first option, in the option with a separate cafe, its location will be the most important. Given the specifics of sales, it is better to locate a tea house in the city center, where there is a large flow of business activity and many offices. Where people often hold meetings and business negotiations.

Requirements for premises are standard. A special role is given to design solutions. The room should be cozy and aimed at a personal approach to each visitor.

Service staff at the teahouse

When working with staff, consider the following:

Supplies and assortment of tea

There may be several options for finding a suitable supplier. This can be done directly in China or India, or at large tea exhibitions. The market of wholesale suppliers is widely developed in Russia. Purchasing in the domestic market is more profitable, although you will have to check the quality of tea yourself.

A small teahouse can provide up to 20 varieties of tea. This number covers the entire list of the most popular and popular types.

In addition to the sale of tea, the sale of confectionery products, various accessories for tea drinking will significantly increase profits: clay teapots, sets made in different national styles, original strainers and much more. Weight tea for those who wish should be beautifully packaged, so that the purchase is pleasant to hold in your hands. These can be original small packets containing information about this variety.