How to Start a Beauty & Cosmetic Retail Store Business

Do you want to open a beauty and cosmetic product retail store business? Find here a guide on how to start and plan a retail beauty and cosmetic shop with tips on operational processes, resources, promotion, marketing, etc.

A retail beauty product shop or cosmetic store is a lucrative business to start from any location across the globe. Even this business is profitable in small towns and suburban areas. Broadly, you have three options to start the business.

Firstly, you can launch your own brand. Secondly, you can start as a franchisee of a reputed beauty retail brand. And finally, you can start an online retail beauty product store with a comparatively small capital investment.

However, each and every approach has its own advantages and disadvantages. An online beauty product store eliminates the retail infrastructure cost. A franchise opportunity allows you to enjoy a brand value and proven operating procedure of the parent company. However, your profit margin is less.

Launching your own brand allows you to access better profit margins and future possibilities of offering franchises. However, you must create a profit-making business model and a popular brand.

The beauty and cosmetic industry in India has grown at a fast pace in recent years. Industry experts project growth of more than 15% in the coming years.

10 Steps to Start Beauty & Cosmetic Retail Store Business

Here are the steps to follow to start a profitable beauty and cosmetic retail store business:

1. Understand The Demand

First of all, you must understand how cosmetic and makeup works. It is better if you have previous experience in the cosmetics line. Furthermore, an educational background in cosmetology is always a plus. Conduct detailed market research and collect information regarding the demand and trends of the local community.  However, You can also gather knowledge from books or online tutorials.

2. Decide The Beauty Products Line

This is an important aspect of this business. You will find a lot of beauty brands on the market. Also, some of them have specialization in herbal, organic, or ayurvedic. Furthermore, cosmetics cater to a broad segment. It includes a makeup range, hair products, skin products, and several other beauty and wellness products.

When you are starting your own product line, it is advisable to start with a concentration on a niche audience. Such as only makeup range or only hair care products. Even you can start a small kiosk with only lipstick or eyeshadow. As your business grows you can add new lines to your existing product range.

3. Craft A Business Plan

This is the most important step in launching a successful business. Furthermore, a business helps in achieving the short-term and long-term goals of the business. According to your product line and business model craft a detailed business plan. Determine how much space you will acquire.

Determine your target demographic. Whether your products are for girls or teens or men or a solution to an aging problem. What are your marketing and product promotion strategies? How will you compete with other cosmetics stores? Finally, craft financial planning with capital investment, cash flow, and expected rate of return.

4. Apply For Registration & Licenses

This is crucial. However, it hugely depends on your location where you want to start the business. It is advisable to talk with a local attorney about the statutory formalities.

Furthermore, if you are starting your own product line get insured. Cosmetics can cause irritation, and allergies, and can provide an environment for growing bacteria. Definitely, you don’t want to be at the receiving end of a lawsuit without coverage for potential liability.

In India, if you are starting with a low budget, you can register as a proprietorship business. But for a larger scale, and looking for funding, you must form a Private Limited Company.

Read: How to Register a Company/ Startup in India

5. Secure Finance

There are a lot of options to get finance for a cosmetic product store. However, you can apply for a loan for the working capital purpose. In this business, working capital includes inventory, manpower costs, and other utility costs. Cash credit or overdraft facility is the best option for this type of capital requirement.

Related: Best Business Loans for Small Businesses

6. Acquire A Location

Other than an online beauty product retail store, you must acquire a store location. Location does matter in this business. However, a shop-in-shop location is also a great option. You must generate the footfalls of your target audience. It is advisable to get the location on the lease. It will eliminate the initial cost investment of purchasing a retail space.

7. Setup Your Store

In any retail store business, it is important. First of all, it is better to have a floor plan. Talk to an interior designer who has experience in retail store design. Identify the space for product display, cash counter, and small storage. Furthermore, concentrates on in-store branding. Maintain a clean, attractive, and well-decorated store.

8. Operational Aspects

Choose a catchy and memorable name. A name that relates to your target demographic. Consider protecting your intellectual property. Talk to the vendors. Furthermore, you must procure quality products at a competitive price. In addition, you must have retail point of sale (POS) software for daily operations and accounting solutions. Also, it helps in tracking store inventory.

9. Hire Employees

Hire professionals and experienced employees. However, it is advisable to employ male and female employees. Sometimes female customers are more willing to interact with female executives. Ensure, proper product training is provided. It is crucial.

10. Promote Your Beauty and Cosmetic Products Selling Retail Store

For a niche beauty and cosmetic store, you must have the key selling points. Why your product is better. However, people are now showing more confidence in organic and herbal cosmetics products. Promote your business in local newspapers and fashion magazines.

Give the effort to build a long-term relationship with your clients. Offer launching discounts. In addition, outdoor advertising works well for beauty products selling store promotions.