Asian Grocery Store

Do you live in an area where many Asians came to live and work? You bet these people have a longing for food and items that they usually buy back when they were home.

You can serve this market by opening a grocery store and selling stuffs they can not normally find in the supermarkets.

asian grocery store business

What is the starting point for any business idea to take shape? It’s the Market. If you are living in a community where most Asian immigrants reside, it is a good idea to start a grocery store carrying goods like rice and a variety of pastes and sauces that Asians usually buy back home. This market may not be served or under-served, and that presents an opportunity for an enterprising spirit to start a business.

To start a grocery store, you must scout for a location ideal for the business. Ideally, it should be at the center of the community or a place most frequented by many Asians because it is near where they work or where they pass by to go to work. But before getting a lease on the property check whether zoning regulations in the city allows the operation of a grocery in that location. After identifying your place of business, inquire with the city office for the federal, state and local requirements in opening a business and the laws regulating business operations. Learn everything you need to know about taxes, employment and retailing. Sale of food items are subject to stringent regulations.

After getting information on the legalities of putting up a business, focus on the details of starting a store. Identify equipment you will need such as a cash register, refrigerators, freezers, display racks, shelves, and bins. Identify the goods you will sell and where you can get supplies – abroad or locally produced.

By this time, you’ll have some items to work on to come up with financial estimates. Calculate startup capital cost, estimate periodic revenues and expenses, and project earnings. Plan how you will get financing for your grocery store. Put everything in a business plan.

Use the business plan to secure financing if you don’t have enough savings to start a grocery store. Afterwards, you can proceed to putting up all the paper work in order. Enter into lease agreements for the store and contracts with manufacturers, wholesalers and distributors; and get permits and licenses you will need. If you need help in running the store, you’d have to hire someone. You might have to do some repairs, renovations or restructuring of the store to put some Asian touches to it. Simultaneously, order your equipment and supplies.

Here are some items you can carry in your store: fruits, vegetables, seafood, herbs, spices, pastes, newspapers, movies, cooking equipment, dishware, and calling cards. While some of these items may be found in mainstream grocery stores, you can set your shop apart by selling hard-to-find items in greater variety. If you are competing with another Asian grocery store, specialize or capitalize on something – in the freshness of your goods, for example.

64 Comments

  • Lillian Pada said on January 15, 2010
    Lubbock, Texas, USA. I would like to start an Asian Grocery as there are many Asians here in Lubbock. There aren't much "goods" in the other Asian stores. There aren't many stores, really.
  • Bill d said on January 25, 2010
    i am looking into opening an indian asian grocery store nothing big there seems to be a big need for such a store in my area south eastren pa i do have friends who run such grocery stores in other areas my wife was born and raised in india so she knows what items we should stock my question is do suppliers stock such stores on consignment?
  • Mac said on February 4, 2010
    Hi! I'm planning to start an Asian Grocery Store in Canada. I don't know what's the 1st step to do, how to import goods from our country and all other things that must be done. Will you please advise me. thanks.
  • mozaffar khan said on February 7, 2010
    hi...dear i like to open small Asian grocery in new york. plz guide me what step i have to do because this is my first time business. the store rent is 2400 monthly for five yrs lease. so plz tell me how to get license. how to get mechanist..my email is k_mozaffar@yahoo.com i will very thankful if u help me.
  • benjamin said on February 17, 2010
    Hello everyone My wife and I are planning to open a small asian grocery store with snack/food to go. We barely started searching for more info on how to start but we haven't came along a really good info yet, if you guys have any ideas of how to start about the store pls let me know. How much does it cost to start out, how much insurance coverage do i need to get, etc. thank you. pls email us back for any reply at karengrace_milan@yahoo.com. also where or how do we go about looking for wholesalers and how to negotiate the prices etc. and how do we find wholesaler abroad or get asian products. thanks again.
  • mai said on March 2, 2010
    LILLIAN- I too want to start an asian grocery store, I'm located in ft worth tx. Can you email me at mailove222@sbcglobal.net I'd love to share my info and maybe get some info from you if you have any? thanks
  • bk said on March 20, 2010
    I also want to open a small asian grocery store in marryland, please direct me from a very beginning, at tlauhmun@yahoo.com
  • Bill Suri said on July 7, 2010
    I want to open an Indian/Asian Grocery store selling Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Sri Lankan and oriental grocery. I need help in getting started with list of vendors and place to get startup shelving, etc. Thanks, Bill
  • bharat rupani said on July 9, 2010
    want to open indian grocery in seacaucus nj 07094
  • Lyn A said on August 10, 2010
    Hello, been planning to open a small asian store in Lagrange GA since asian population is growing. I tried to loan the start up cost unfortunately denied, please advise if it possible to start my business with less money. Would like to know any first steps to do to minimize start up cost. Your reply would be very much appreciated. Thank you.
  • Greg said on September 2, 2010
    I'm planning to open an Korean/Chinese/Indian grocery in Toms River, NJ. Please give us information on what to do from the beginning. There is one Indian grocery store here but no Korean or Chinese as far as I know. Thank you.
  • Jane K. said on September 19, 2010
    My mother is ready to sell her grocery store and retire. It is a small Asian grocery store in the Cleveland, OH area. If you are interested, please email me at jkang0128@yahoo.com.
  • syeda said on December 15, 2010
    Hi, i want to open an indian/pakistani grocery store in houston Tx. this will be our first exp of business. can someone guide us the steps we need to take and from where to get the supplies/shelves and how much minimum investment is required in the beginning? and what other requirements are? plz contact me at noreengilani@gmail.com
  • bernard Thomas said on December 28, 2010
    I too am interested in opening an asian grocery store, but I am very ignorant as to where to start. I am here in Georgia and I have to drive 3 hours to get to an asian store. I really need help getting on track.
  • carmelo alcon said on January 4, 2011
    i am interested of putting up a small asian store and a restaurant in missisippi i'm having difficulty of where to get this and that supplies and so on.... please guide me regarding the supplies where to get direct suppliers and how much investment...
  • venus cinco said on January 7, 2011
    Columbia,SC,US,Would like to start International Market with restaurant inside. Please tell me what I need to do.
  • nishane said on January 9, 2011
    I would like to start an International Market as well, not very large. I was wondering how do you find the suppliers and such. still in the business planning stage. Any information will be helpful. thank you so much... Arizona
  • Indrani Wimalasena said on February 1, 2011
    We are an established company in Sri Lanka and currently conducting an export campaign .Our products include "Ready to Eat" ethnic products as well as spices,curry mixes,spice blends.If you are interested we will send our Company details, brochure & product list etc. Regards, Indrani Wimalasena
  • Ruby said on March 22, 2011
    Indrani, Please send me your catalog. I live in Toronto, Canada and interested in getting indian spices, lentils, beans, chickpeas and other curry mixes and ready to eats imported for my store. Thanks
  • john lowe said on April 17, 2011
    St Cloud, FL USA. Indrani, I am not sure if the products you have are what I looking for, but would be glad to look thou your product list/ brochure.
  • Evelyn Craig said on June 20, 2011
    I'm very interested in opening an asian food mart for my area. I was wondering if anyone could inform me of who the major suppliers for asian food marts on the east coast are. Thank you for your help in advance. SC
  • Anh Mai said on August 10, 2011
    I want to start small Asian grocery store in Lancaster, pa. Pls tell me how much do i need for start. And who are major suppliers? PLS send to my email anh77mai@yahoo.com. Thanks
  • Sunida said on August 24, 2011
    I would like to open asian grocery store in st.mary county md , the space I found space about 1, 000 square feet 1000spf, 500 for rent , how much money I need , thank you
  • Praveen Reddy said on September 23, 2011
    I would like to open a store in Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India at around 1500 SQF. Could you please suggest how much investment need to be invested.
  • Mike Nguyen said on November 7, 2011
    I want to open an asian grocery store in Lincoln, NE. Any one out there please help me how to start . Please email me to phnguyen2008@gmail.com Thanks
  • An said on December 4, 2011
    hi i would want to open an Asian grocery in Australia, and want to know where can i get the stock from, please email lananh.nguyen@live.com
  • Maria said on December 21, 2011
    Hello, I am intrested to set up a small Filipino/Asian Market in my area, Charlottesville Virginia. I am in need of information where I can purchase wholesale products here in US but products made from Asian countries such as Philippines. Do you know of companies that deal with Filipino dry foods and Asian products? Your input is highly appreciated. Thanks for your time.
  • Ameer john said on January 23, 2012
    Hi guys I need estimate to start a departmental store with details.
  • ella said on March 2, 2012
    I am planning to open an Asian food store in my local area in Utah. AND I had a space with about 1000 sqf. But i can't find Asian food distributors. If anyone can help me out, please email me at ellatao88@gmail.com. Thank you very much.
  • Vincent Nguyen said on March 16, 2012
    Hi, We are interested in opening an oriental super market, please advice the process of starting one. Thank you so much.
  • jordan said on March 25, 2012
    Hello, my husband and I are planning to open a small Asian grocery store in Montana, especially Filipino products. Would you please send me information where I can get wholesale products here in the US. My email address is maejor30@yahoo.com. Thank you so much
  • James expert adviser said on March 26, 2012

    @jordan, for Filipino products please go through the local shops to find the wholesalers and for the rest items you can find some from here.

    Jestin James
    Startup Biz Hub - Senior Advisor (Staff)

  • James L said on March 31, 2012
    Hi, I'm also planning on starting a small asian grocery store, can you please advise me how to get started and advice. Thanks in advance
  • ali said on April 2, 2012
    hi i want to open a convenience store in greenbelt maryland. can u help me how to start. how many capital is needed and what articles should be included in store. thx
  • Mary jean Bowen said on May 10, 2012
    Hi, I am looking for ward to start an Asian store which is at Indian river, Michigan. which is the center of other cities. Is it possible that a tiny restaurant and store would be combined like Filipino store? please advice.. Thanks
  • Biaa said on May 27, 2012
    Hi everyone. Like awl of you I m also looking fwd to opening an Indian Pakistani grocery store in San banardino CA. With an initial investment of about 25k. Can any body please help me with the details of where to find the wholesale market it's scope n awl other important stuff that I should know before making the investment. My e mail is bm.qazi@gmail.com. Thanking you. Good luck to all.
  • Richard said on June 11, 2012
    ASIAN SPROUT GROCERY located in Beaufort, SC. I am looking for a Indian food distributor on the east coast for my Asian Grocery Store.
  • lovely said on July 23, 2012
    Hi, my husband and i are planning to put up a grocery store which cater all kinds of spices ingredients and foods found in different part of the world like asian, greek, arabic, mediteranian foods.. we are located in louisiana.. can anybody advise on where to find distributors or suppliers of goods from different country and the process of how to order or the shipping. Please help.. thank you.. luvdent@yahoo.com
  • Clary said on September 4, 2012
    I am planning to put up a filipino store in winnipeg, Canada. Can you please recommend me a wholesaler for the filipino products that we can sell in Winnipeg, CA? Please email me the link. My email address claron7600@yahoo.com. Thank you.
  • Manjit said on December 6, 2012
    I want to open an Indian/Asian Grocery store selling Indian, Pakistani, Bangladeshy grocery. I need help in getting started with list of vendors and wholesaler also how much minimum investment is required in the beginning? I'm in Murrieta California. Thank you so much for your help.
  • Sakura said on December 12, 2012
    I have an export-import company in New York state. We import high quality Japanese goods such Ramune soda, cup ramen, sweets etc. Do you have an interest to buy from direct importer? Contact to: ogiwaraoxana@gmail.com
  • Mindy said on January 9, 2013
    I'm planning on opening a small asian grocery store, but don't know how and where to start. Don't know exactly where to get the merchandise and how much money would I need to start a small asian grocery(least amount). Any inputs or recommendations would help. Thank you. email: meriasian@yahoo.com
  • Meena said on February 26, 2013
    I am trying to open indian grocery store. Can someone tell me how do I go about it? And how much investment would I need .
  • Best said on March 6, 2013
    I want to start small Asian grocery store around 1500 sqf. in West lafayette, IN. Please tell me how much do i need for start. And who are major suppliers? Thanks
  • Md.M Hoque said on March 27, 2013
    I am planning to start a Asian grocery store around 1200 soft in hillside Jamaica New York. I need to know how much money I need to start. I also need help to get the list of vendors, suppliers and wholesaler, thanks. Masud,
  • M. Ahmed said on July 12, 2013
    Hi, Was anyone provided with any estimate to open a 2400 sqft desi grocery store? Does anyone have a list of wholesalers/suppliers? Please hit me at: ch.muzammal@gmail.com - Muzammal
  • Joel said on January 24, 2014
    to everyone asking for help, the answers are above in the article! They give you all the steps above. Start with going to the city office and getting information on the laws and regulations of opening a business. This step will provide you with what you need to know. Besides that you all should call people and ask, "how much is the rent here" or "can you send me a list of wholesale prices of your goods" or "how much is your business insurance costs", write it all down and it will start to come together
  • Sophie said on January 30, 2014
    I am planning to start an Asian grocery store in Dover NH. I need to know how much money I need to start. What's the pros and cons to find a partner to do joint- adventure? I also need help to get the list of vendors, suppliers and wholesaler. I can be reached by email: huizk@aol.com,thanks.
  • Azfar Cheema said on March 27, 2014
    I am selling a Halal Meat and Pakistan/Indian grocery store in Virginia Beach Area, contact me if interested @ desi_grocery@yahoo.com
  • Julius Cantillep said on April 5, 2014
    Tamcor Mexim, USA is a Importer/Wholesaler/Distributor and Manufacturer of Filipino products with 3 warehouses in Los Angeles, CA; San Francisco, CA and Kent, WA. We are the exclusive distributor of MY San Skyflakes and we carry more than 1,200 Filipino Food Items. If you need a reliable and quality products email me at cantillep.julius@Gmail.com.
  • liza said on June 12, 2014
    Hi me and my good friend are planning to have an asian store especially for filipino and indians/pakistani, I hope you can help me on how to, step by step procedure. I am currently living here in Tokyo Japan. Thank you, Best Regards, Liza Kamiyama
  • Soul-U-tion Ventures said on July 28, 2014
    Mumbai, India. We provide authentic Indian dry snacks and Ready-to-Cook items including Pav Bhaji, Biryani, Farsan and much more.
    1. 100% Preservation free
    2. Vacuum packaged for long shelf-life
    3. Authentic Indian taste
    4. Reasonably priced
  • kim said on August 16, 2014
    Hi, I am planning to start an asian/mediteranian grocery store. can anybody advise on where to find distributors, wholesalers or suppliers of goods from different country and the process of how to order or the shipping. Also how much money do i need for start. 1000 sqf, a small town in East Canada. Please help.. thank you..... dk_perras@hotmail.com
  • Wutti said on December 1, 2014
    Hi, I am planning to start a 1,000-1,500 sqf. asian grocery store in a small town of southern Alberta, Canada. I need advice on where to find distributors, wholesalers or suppliers of products. I also have no idea how much it will cost for start-up. If anyone knows, please email me at wuttibkk@gmail.com. Appreciate your help. Thank you.
  • Alice E. Smith said on January 10, 2015
    Selling Oriental Food Store including building with living quarters in Nebraska. Asian, Hispanic & other customers. 16 years in business and want to retire. Email if interested. gls0378@yahoo.com
  • Sakura said on March 5, 2015
    Hello. Moved from NY to CA. Planning to open own retail asian shop in LA. I have my own company in Japan and in the USA. Import from Japan Japanese products. If somebody needs real Japanese products contact me: ogiwaraoxana@gmail.com
  • Jami said on September 28, 2015
    I am looking for Asian food distributor/wholesale list to open a store in Southern California,Please help me out by sharing information.usmanway@hotmail.com
  • Thesslyn said on December 28, 2015
    Hi me and my husband planning to put up a small Asian market here in Washington. I need distributors and how much it will cost to startup? Please help me. thesslyngraceandres@yahoo.com
  • Cillie Amarga said on March 4, 2016
    Hi there i and my husband really is in interested and looking for asian food distributor/Wholesale list to open a business in Belgium especially Philippines product. can you please help us tell how and where we can talk to or how can we do it? Thank you
  • Gm said on April 17, 2016
    Hello, we are planning to start a small east Indian grocery store. Don't know from where to start what will be the first step to start? How much investment will require? We ate thinking about 600 to 800 Sq ft of store. Please let us know. Thanks.
  • Tess said on April 20, 2016
    I wish to start a little Asian store in Oklahoma. I wish to get information for start up. Thanks
  • Ahmed said on July 5, 2016
    Hi everyone I need a wholesaler if he's from New York that better because we are in Connecticut and we're trying to open a small Asian grocery store so we need all the spices rice everything basically so if somebody know the wholesaler where we can get the product Asian grocery.thanks My e mail is Shuttari_ahmed@hotmail.com
  • Maya said on February 10, 2017
    Hi everyone, can you please let me know where I can find distributors or wholesaler for Asian grocery. I live in Seattle. Please email all the info to damayantimaya@hotmail.com. Thank you.
  • Myda V said on July 29, 2018
    Hello! We are a company that specializes in Asian Grocery Business Start-Up. We have a dynamic business plan that is custom to every entrepreneur. Whether you are a new business owner or existing owner that seeks expansion, we are your one stop source! Please email sales@zrmtrading.com or call 813.203.9144

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