How to open a household goods store: instructions

For a small household goods store with an area of 30–60 m², it is reasonable to plan a startup budget of approximately UAH 360,000 to UAH 1.05 million. Most of the money will go toward inventory, retail furniture, rent, and equipment. If the premises do not require major renovation, preparing the store usually takes 2–6 weeks. The sequence is as follows: define the store format and product range, register the business, rent premises, set up the checkout and inventory system, purchase goods, hire employees, and conduct test sales.

Is it worth opening a household goods store?

A household goods store sells products that are regularly needed in everyday life: garbage bags, sponges, gloves, brushes, containers, kitchen accessories, cleaning supplies, household chemicals, and small household items. Customers often come for a specific inexpensive item, so a convenient location, availability of the required products, and a clear product range are important.

The main competition comes from supermarkets, large home goods stores, markets, and online stores. A small retail outlet makes sense in a location where customers can conveniently buy essential household items near home, on their way from work, or together with other everyday purchases.

Demand is relatively stable throughout the year, although the sales structure changes. In spring, demand for cleaning and household maintenance products increases; in summer, products for summer houses and picnics may sell better; in autumn, demand for home-preserving supplies appears; and in winter, the structure of demand for cleaning and home care products changes.

There is no single correct markup rate for the entire niche. Household chemicals, plastic products, kitchen accessories, brushes, and small household goods have different purchase prices, levels of competition, and sales turnover. Therefore, profitability should be calculated by product group, taking into account purchase prices, delivery costs, write-offs, rent, salaries, and taxes.

How much money is needed to start?

For a store with an area of 30–60 m², the following planned budget can be used. This is a model for preliminary calculations, since rent, renovation, and the cost of the first inventory purchase depend significantly on the city, floor area, and product range.

Expense item	Estimated amount	What it depends on
Registration, bank account, administrative expenses	UAH 0–5,000	Business form, qualified electronic signature, banking services, specialist assistance
First month’s rent and deposit	UAH 30,000–80,000	City, district, floor area, foot traffic
Cosmetic renovation and signage	UAH 30,000–100,000	Condition of the premises and scope of work
Shelving, counter, shelves, storage area	UAH 40,000–120,000	Floor area, number of product groups, new or used furniture
Checkout and inventory equipment	UAH 20,000–60,000	Workstation configuration
First inventory purchase	UAH 180,000–500,000	Number of categories, assortment depth, purchase prices
Advertising and opening promotion	UAH 10,000–30,000	Promotion channels and outdoor advertising area
Working capital reserve	UAH 50,000–150,000	Rent, salaries, repeat purchases, and the time required to reach stable revenue
Total	UAH 360,000–1,045,000	Excluding the purchase of premises and major reconstruction

The biggest mistake when calculating startup costs is spending almost the entire budget on the first inventory purchase. The store needs working capital to reorder fast-moving products, pay rent and salaries, and cover current expenses during the first few months.

Step 1. Business registration

Sole Proprietorship or LLC

For a single retail outlet with one owner, a Sole Proprietorship is usually sufficient. Registration is free of charge and can be completed online through the Diia portal.

An LLC should be considered if there are several founders, ownership shares need to be formally distributed, an investor is expected to be involved, or the company structure goes beyond a typical small retail business.

It is better to determine the business form before signing a long-term lease agreement, opening a bank account, and concluding major contracts with suppliers. This allows documents to be issued immediately in the name of the entity that will actually operate the store.

Which single tax group should you choose?

Group 2 is suitable for a Sole Proprietorship if annual income does not exceed UAH 7,211,598 and no more than 10 employees are hired at the same time. The maximum single tax is UAH 1,729.40 per month, the military levy is UAH 864.70, and the minimum Unified Social Contribution is UAH 1,902.34.

Group 3 has an annual income limit of UAH 10,091,049 and does not impose the same restriction on the number of employees. The single tax rate is 5% of income or 3% for VAT payers. In addition, a military levy of 1% of income and the Unified Social Contribution are payable.

Group 1 is intended, among other activities, for retail trade from designated trading places at markets and does not allow hired employees. For a regular standalone store, this regime generally does not correspond to the typical operating model.

Which KVED codes are required?

For a specialized home goods store, the basic code may be KVED 47.59 «Retail sale of furniture, lighting equipment and other household articles in specialised stores». This class includes, in particular, tableware, glassware, ceramic products, and other household items.

If the store has a mixed product range without one dominant specialization, consider whether KVED 47.19 «Other retail sale in non-specialised stores» is appropriate. For sales through your own website or other remote channels, KVED 47.91 is added.

If the product range includes specific categories, such as cosmetics and toiletries or electrical household appliances, add the relevant KVED codes according to the actual types of activity. The number of codes itself does not replace the correct identification of the primary type of activity.

KVED-2010 is currently in use. The transition of the statistical classification to NACE 2.1-UA is scheduled for January 1, 2027, so before registering a new business, it is advisable to check the current classifier of the State Statistics Service of Ukraine.

How to submit documents

A Sole Proprietorship can be registered through the Diia portal. You need to sign in, complete the application, specify the KVED codes, select the taxation system, and sign the documents electronically. State registration of a Sole Proprietorship is free of charge and is provided within one day.

After registration, open a business bank account, verify registration under the selected taxation system, and conclude agreements with the landlord and suppliers in the name of the registered entrepreneur.

Step 2. Permits and licences

No separate trade licence is required for ordinary retail sales of tableware, brushes, sponges, bags, containers, household equipment, and other standard household goods.

The requirements change if the product range includes goods subject to a special legal regime. Therefore, before purchasing a new product category, check whether it is subject to technical regulations, mandatory labelling, or other special requirements.

Detergents are subject to a separate technical regulation. The supplier must provide goods that have been legally placed on the market and include the required information about the manufacturer or importer, composition, purpose, and safe use. The store owner should retain invoices and supplier documents for such goods.

In some cases, the premises require a fire safety declaration confirming that the facilities and equipment comply with fire safety requirements. If the owner of the premises has already registered the relevant declaration and the tenant uses the property under a lease agreement, a separate submission by the tenant may not be required. This should be verified before operations begin, taking into account the specific premises.

Step 3. Premises

For a first store near a residential area, 30–60 m² is often sufficient. A smaller area is suitable for a compact selection of everyday goods. A larger retail and storage area will be required for a wide range of tableware, plastic products, household chemicals, and seasonal goods.

When choosing a location, consider not the total number of people passing the building, but the number of potential customers. For household goods, suitable locations may include residential neighbourhoods, routes to supermarkets and public transport, and areas near grocery stores, markets, and other everyday shopping destinations.

Before signing a lease agreement, check the property address and floor area, the designated use of the premises, access to electricity, the possibility of installing signage, goods delivery conditions, utility payment terms, responsibility for repairs, and the procedure for early termination of the lease.

Part of the premises should be reserved for inventory storage. If boxes are kept in aisles or behind the checkout, employees will find it more difficult to replenish shelves and perform inventory counts. For a small store, it is advisable to provide a separate storage area from the outset.

After renting or opening the retail premises, submit Form 20-OPP to the State Tax Service of Ukraine. The general notification period is 10 business days after registration, creation, opening, or modification of a taxable facility.

Step 4. Checkout and fiscalisation

Group 2 and Group 3 Sole Proprietorships that accept cash, bank cards, or other settlement payments in the store generally use an ECR or pECR. If the customer transfers funds directly to an IBAN account without a settlement transaction, different rules may apply.

For a small store, a pECR is often sufficient. First, notify the State Tax Service of Ukraine about the retail outlet using Form 20-OPP, then register the pECR using Application No. 1-pECR and register cashier details according to the selected operating model.

A stationary retail outlet must also provide a cashless payment option. The method can be selected depending on the bank and equipment: a physical POS terminal or another permitted payment solution.

Failure to issue the required settlement document or processing a transaction in violation of ECR rules may result in financial liability: 100% of the value of the goods for the first established violation and 150% for each subsequent violation.

If a sale is processed in Torgsoft, the relevant additional feature is activated to work with a software ECR. The sale, deduction of goods from inventory, and data for the fiscal receipt are then generated within a single sales workflow. Before launch, check the checkout settings and issue a test receipt.

Step 5. Retail outlet equipment

A household goods store does not require a complex equipment setup. A basic workstation consists of a computer or POS all-in-one terminal, barcode scanner, receipt printer, label printer if required, and cash drawer.

Checkout workstation. If you need a compact device with a touchscreen, you can consider the LEABON LB-W7 J4125 15.6'' 8/128 touchscreen POS terminal. A regular computer or laptop is also suitable for a small store if its specifications meet the requirements of the inventory management software.

Barcode scanner. It reduces manual code entry at the checkout and when working with products. For a stationary checkout, you can use the SunLux XL-3610 2D wired barcode scanner with stand. A scanner is particularly useful when a store has hundreds of similar items from different manufacturers and in different sizes and packages.

Label printer. Some household goods already have a manufacturer barcode. For products without suitable labelling, the store can create its own code and print a label using the Xprinter XP 235B label printer.

Receipt printer. For printing paper documents at the checkout, you can use the Xprinter XP-Q801K USB+WiFi receipt printer. If fiscalization is handled by a PECR, before purchasing, check which documents you plan to print and how the printer will operate within your checkout configuration.

Cash drawer. If the store accepts cash, an ASAP POS 410E cash drawer can be installed for storing it at the checkout. The cash drawer model should be matched to the way it connects to the checkout equipment.

Also provide a stable internet connection for PECR and banking operations, network equipment, and backup power where power outages could stop checkout operations. Before purchasing scanners, printers, and other peripherals, check the compatibility of specific models with Torgsoft and your connection method.

Step 6. Inventory and money management

Inventory management should be set up before the first sale. Create a product card for each item with its name, product group, manufacturer, unit of measurement, barcode, purchase price, and retail price. For household chemicals, it is also advisable to store information that helps distinguish volume, packaging, and expiry date.

Daily inventory movement consists of several operations: the store receives a delivery, an employee records the goods in inventory, labels some items, sells goods, processes a return, or writes goods off. Each such operation should change the recorded stock balance; otherwise, the actual quantity on the shelves will gradually diverge from the system data.

In Torgsoft, you can work with manufacturer barcodes, create your own barcodes, print labels, perform inventory counts, and set a minimum stock level. When the quantity of a fast-moving item approaches the specified threshold, the manager can see that the product should be checked before the next order.

Perform inventory counts regularly. A small store does not necessarily need to stop all sales every time for a complete stock count: individual product groups can be checked more frequently depending on turnover, value, and the risk of inventory mix-ups.

Money should also be separated according to the purpose of each transaction. Revenue, supplier payments, operating expenses, customer refunds, and the entrepreneur’s own funds introduced into the business have different purposes. If all movements are recorded only as changes in the cash balance, it will be difficult for the owner to determine the actual financial result.

Step 7. Suppliers and product range

The first purchase should be based on the needs of the specific location. For a store near a residential area, the core range may include cleaning products, sponges, wipes, bags, gloves, brushes, buckets, containers, kitchen accessories, bathroom products, household chemicals, and inexpensive household items.

At the start, it is more important to create a core assortment of regularly demanded goods than to fill the shelves with a large number of random items. Increase the depth of each category after you have your own sales data.

When selecting a supplier, check purchase prices, minimum order amount, delivery times, payment terms, defective goods return conditions, availability of product documents, and the procedure for notifying customers about price changes. For key categories, it is advisable to have several supply sources so that a product shortage from one wholesaler does not interrupt shelf replenishment.

The first inventory purchase in the planned budget may amount to approximately UAH 180,000–500,000. The amount depends on the store area and the proportion of higher-priced goods. You do not need to purchase the same stock quantity for every item: garbage bags or sponges may sell every day, while large plastic products or certain seasonal goods require a different stock level.

After several weeks of operation, compare the sales rate of products. Fast-moving items should have a larger reserve, while slower-moving goods should be purchased in smaller batches. This keeps funds available for products that need to be reordered regularly.

Step 8. Staff

A small store can start operating with the owner and one salesperson, or with two salespeople working in shifts. The required number of people depends on opening hours, floor area, delivery frequency, and who handles purchasing and goods receipt.

The minimum wage is UAH 8,647, although the actual market salary for a salesperson is usually higher. The current Work.ua benchmark for a sales assistant in Ukraine is approximately UAH 24,000, so it is better to calculate the staffing budget based on the actual salary level in your city.

In addition to the accrued salary, the employer pays a 22% Unified Social Contribution. Personal income tax of 18% and a military levy of 5% are withheld from the employee’s salary. For example, with an accrued salary of UAH 24,000, the employer additionally accrues UAH 5,280 in Unified Social Contribution.

Before the employee starts work, conclude an employment agreement, issue the relevant order or instruction, and submit an employment notification to the State Tax Service of Ukraine. A salesperson must not begin work before the required employment formalities are completed.

In Torgsoft, employees can be assigned different access rights. A cashier can be given only the operations required for sales and returns, an inventory specialist can be given access to goods receipt and product operations, while a manager can access management data. This division of access rights should be configured before the store opens.

Step 9. Launch and first sales

One week before opening, the store should operate like a regular retail outlet even if there are no customers yet. Enter the products into the inventory system, record the first delivery, print labels and price tags, arrange the goods, and check stock balances.

Conduct a test sale using both cash and card payment. Check barcode scanning, price accuracy, the fiscal receipt, document printing, product returns, and the change in stock balance after the transaction.

Check whether the salesperson understands the procedures for opening and closing a shift, processing returns, applying manual discounts, receiving new deliveries, working during equipment failures, and contacting the responsible person.

Before opening, install signage and display up-to-date opening hours, add the store to mapping services, and prepare pages on the online channels you actually plan to use. For a neighbourhood store, local advertising within nearby residential areas can be useful.

During the first few weeks, record what customers asked for but could not find. This list will help you expand the product range based on actual demand in the specific neighbourhood.

Common startup mistakes

1. An excessively large first inventory purchase. Money becomes tied up in slow-moving products, leaving insufficient working capital to reorder fast-moving items.
2. Choosing a location based only on low rent. Cheap premises without the right customer traffic can result in greater losses than more expensive premises in the right location.
3. Setting up inventory management after opening. If the first delivery is already on the shelves without being correctly recorded, the opening stock balances will have to be corrected while the store is operating.
4. Keeping the same stock level for all products. Different categories have different turnover rates. Some products need to be replenished weekly, while others may remain in stock for months.
5. Not checking supplier documents. This is especially important for household chemicals and goods subject to technical regulations and labelling requirements.
6. Giving salespeople excessive access rights. Employees should only have access to operations included in their duties, and the procedures for discounts, returns, and price changes should be defined in advance.
7. No financial reserve. Rent, salaries, and repeat purchases begin immediately, so part of the startup capital should remain available as working capital.

Opening checklist

1. Define the store format, floor area, and target customer.
2. Prepare a list of the main product categories.
3. Calculate the startup budget and working capital reserve.
4. Choose between a Sole Proprietorship and an LLC.
5. Select the taxation system.
6. Select the primary and additional KVED codes.
7. Register the business.
8. Open a business bank account.
9. Find premises and check the terms of their use.
10. Sign a lease agreement.
11. Submit Form 20-OPP.
12. Check whether a fire safety declaration is required.
13. Register an ECR or pECR.
14. Set up cashless payment.
15. Order shelving, a checkout workstation, and retail equipment.
16. Select an inventory management system and create the product group structure.
17. Check suppliers and product documentation.
18. Purchase the first batch and record it in inventory.
19. Label the products and print price tags.
20. Complete employee registration before they start work.
21. Configure staff access rights.
22. Conduct a test sale, card payment, and return.
23. Count the opening stock balances.
24. Publish opening hours, install signage, and add information about the store online.
25. Open the store and adjust the product range during the first few weeks based on actual demand.

Questions and answers

? Which KVED code is required for a household goods store?

KVED 47.59 may be suitable for a specialized home goods store. For a store with a mixed non-specialized product range, check KVED 47.19, and add KVED 47.91 for online sales. The final set of codes depends on the actual product categories.

? Is a licence required for a household goods store?

No separate licence is required for ordinary retail sales of household goods. If the range is expanded to include goods subject to a special regulatory regime, the relevant requirements should be checked separately before purchasing them.

? Is a pECR required?

For a regular store operated by a Group 2 or Group 3 Sole Proprietorship that accepts cash or bank card payments, an ECR or PECR is generally required. Specific exceptions depend on the payment method.

? How much does it cost to open a small store?

For premises of 30–60 m², the planned budget can be estimated at approximately UAH 360,000–1.05 million. The largest factors affecting the total are the first inventory purchase, rent, renovation, and retail furniture.

? How much inventory should be purchased for opening?

It is better to determine the amount based on the assortment matrix and the store area. In the model above, UAH 180,000–500,000 is allocated for inventory, but part of the startup capital should be reserved for quickly reordering fast-moving items.

? Can the owner work alone without a salesperson?

Yes. A Sole Proprietorship owner can work in the store independently. Before opening, it is necessary to determine who will receive deliveries, handle purchasing, and replace the owner when they are absent.

? Is it necessary to print your own barcodes?

No. Products with a suitable manufacturer barcode can be recorded using that barcode. Custom labelling is required for products without a barcode or when the store deliberately uses its own internal labelling system.

Where to start with automation

Before purchasing all the equipment, test the full cycle using several real products: creating a product card, recording goods receipt, printing a label, making a sale, processing a return, and performing an inventory count. This helps determine the product group structure, barcode rules, and checkout equipment configuration before opening. The Torgsoft demo version works for 30 days. Scanners, printers, checkout equipment, and other devices are available in the retail equipment section.

The amounts, rates, limits, and requirements are provided as of August 2026. Tax legislation changes over time: before registration and submitting documents, check the current values on the website of the State Tax Service of Ukraine.