In this post you will get to know the steps to take in opening provision store business. Come to think of it, provision store business seems to be one of the easiest business to start. Take a look around your area I am sure you have people who are selling provisions under umbrella, kiosk, wheelbarrow etc. This is to tell you that you can actually start this business with any available capital.
However, to start provision business and be consistent in growing it you have to put some things into considerations. It may interest you to know that there is no item you display for sale that won’t get buyers. Almost every home make use of one item or another on a daily basis, ranging from toiletries, beverages, snacks etc. So you have a ready market already.
But the way you set up your store will attract certain caliber of customers to your shop. I’m sure you understand what I mean if it looks shabby and disorganized you will welcome few persons that don’t care as your customers. But make it standard neat and attractive you will get sophisticated customers. Do you know why some provision stores are considered as mini supermarkets it is because of the settings.
Like any other commercial business you have to write a provision store business plan in other to succeed. But first determine how you want to start the business. Is it as a retailer, wholesaler or distributor? Each has different mode of operation even though it is the same business.
Steps to Start Grocery store business in Nigeria
- Source for Capital
- Get a shop
- Write a provision business plan
- Identify where to purchase provision items
- Register for a business name
Starting a grocery shop business require steps and here are the steps to start provision shop business.
-
Capital
Capital is the number one thing that will determine the category you belong. If you have less than #100,000 you will consider retailing, more than #100,000 you can do wholesale, millions can start distribution business. That bring us to the question often asked, ‘how much does it cost to start a provision store in Nigeria’?
Any amount can start the business even if it is #10,000 you stock your shop according to that amount. But to start averagely, you will need about #500,000 but to start big time one million and above. The prices of provision items are sky rocketing so write a provision store business plan before starting in other to succeed.
In your capital you have to capture money for:
- Container or shop,
- Wood for shelves, you will pay carpenter to do it for you the woods should be good quality so that ants will not raise them down easily.
- Tables to display some items
- Chairs for you and your customers to sit and wait
- Books for inventory
- Cartons for packaging items bought
- Nylon for wrapping other items.
- Wheelbarrow, For big provision store to convey customers goods
2. Shop
Your store should be positioned in a strategic place and made visible for all to see. There are some places you go to except you ask you will not be able to locate where a provision store is simply because it is opened to capture only the people residing in that area.
The provision shop design will depend on the capital and the type of provision store you are starting with. You need a small shop if your capital is small so that the few items you showcase in the shop will appear plenty. People natural bypass shops that look scanty because they believe it will not have all the items they want to purchase.
List of Items in a Provision Shop in Nigeria
- Soaps for bathing and washing,
- Cream
- Indomitable
- Biscuits
- Beverages,
- Pampers
- Matches,
- Toiletries
- Drinks,
- Custard
- Batteries,
- Chin chin
- Detergents,
- Candle
- Sweets and candy,
- Bulb
- Tissue papers
- Insecticides
- toothpaste,
- Salt
- Macaroni
- Spaghetti
- Sugar,
- Salt,
- Noodles
- Seasoning
- Relaxer
- Dettol
- Hypo
- Izal
- Super glue
- Bread
- Bleach
- Cornflakes
- Baby food. Etc
You can sell anything buy-able in your shop ranging from food items, cosmetics, books, gift items alongside with the provision.
The prices of provision items are not fixed, the change according to the countries economy and cost of manufacturing. For instance, powder Milk that used to go for #1,000 is ńow #1,200 because there is an embargo on their importation. The same apply to many other provision items.
3. Write Business Proposal for Provision Store Business
To start up any business it is advisable to carry out feasibility study or at least write a business proposal. Don’t take provision business idea for granted make sure you write a provision store business plan. It will guide you on the path to success.
4. Identify where you will be buying the provision Items
You should be able to get more than 5 distributors or wholesalers on ground as the case maybe; so you can always purchase your items from them. The reason being that if this one does not have they other one will have. Once you purchase from them, they will be the ones to be bringing the products to your shop. And some will drop the items for you to sale, then come back later for the money.
In Akwa Ibom State, Eniong Street and Nepa line are known for provision wholesale and distribution business. There are provision distributors in Nigeria that are in all the states. Find out the one closer to you from the people already in the business.
Register a Business name
It will be an added advantage when ypu register your business name with CAC, it will help you when you want to get a loan for expansion. Read my post on how to register a company name to know how to go about it.
Advice
Do not procrastinate, if you have the money start provision business immediately. My sister was looking around for shop to start a supermarket for more than 3 months she couldn’t find a good place. And her capital kept on depleting every day until I found a place for her inside the market. She is doing fine in the business.
How to Make Money in Provision Business
You have to spread your capital to capture almost every fast consumable products. Purchase more of want is highly demanded in your area for sale. Don’t in the name of trying to buy everything you think will be bought go and buy the things that will take a long time to sale. You can keep those kind of items one or two for customers who will need them.
Reduce price especially if a customers ask you to do so, by so doing you will get that customer to yourself. You can use another item to make up for the one you deducted.
There is always room to grow in a business, add sub-distribution business to your grocery business. Something like noodles or biscuit.
Is provision business profitable?
Provision business is very profitable even though the profit for one item is very small, #10, #20, #30, #50, highest #100. When you sell these items in bulk you make good profit. For instance, if you add #50 to an item and you sale like 200 items in a day that will fetch you #10,000 for a day, in a month you will make more than #300,000 as profit. The more groceries you sell, the more profit you make.
That is why I like wholesale provision business in Nigeria although retailers make more gain in an item than wholesalers. An item that a wholesaler makes like #10 a retailer will make about #50.
Items that Sales very Fast in a provision business in Nigeria
Indomie, biscuits, snacks, beverages, tissue papers, soaps, detergents, insectivides etc. To make money in provision store business you have to be skillful.
Foodstuff and provision business
You may ask which is more profitable? They are both profitable because it involves every day consumables. You can add foodstuff business to your provision store business, just like in supermarkets.
Conclusion
Provision store business is profitable that is why you see people that start small expanding within a short time. Having a knowledge of how to start a profitable provision store is very important so write a provision store business plan before you start. Look for provision store images so that you will know how to set up your own. Let me end this post by answering this question, ‘what are provision stores’? Provision stores are retail stores where items like; beverages, toileteries, seasoning, spices, stationery, drinks, cosmetics etc.
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Where can one get d wholesale goods from in Nigeria
They are there in any state. Find out from the people selling provision in your location
The people always hide information, no one wants to help.
How can I know and master their prices
buy a notebook and make a list and the prices from other traders you will know the cost or you ask your suppliers
Ma you’re saying the truth thanks so much, but please ma I also need your help, do provision store business go with selling of drinks like bear
You mean the sachet ones if yes some people do
This is Nigeria, no one is ready to tell us about how to start such business.
@Sadiyat, but I just did
Thanks so much Mrs Eno
Really appreciate
The area I stay in Lagos has a lot of provision stores, is it advisable I open one?
If the population of consumers living in the area is high you can go ahead @melody
Thank you very much ma
I like it
May you write about how to find and maintain the market
What kind of provisions can I sell at mechanic and motor spare parts area?
Hello Esther, you can sell all but consumables should be more. At the same time visit to see what others are selling
Please ma how can I get your number, so that I will call u when I want to open the shop , please
@Sunday 08035965405
I want to start up a provision business, like how much will make my shop to be packed and attractive
1.5M and above
Ma please is it composery to learn under someone for 3 months before I can start my own provision shop with my 200k?
@Caleb is not compulsory but is ideal. My sister didnt go fot training because a family friend who is into the business had shop very close. She helped her with the pricing and the business. But our family friend went for training for more than 3 months before opening her own
God bless you Madam, for the teaching. This is what I have been looking for. Apart from biscuits, beverages, indomie soaps and detergents what other items can I add to my wife provision that can attract more customers. What are the things that you know with your experience that are highly demanded. Thanks
hello sir, i’m sure you are the person who chatted me up on Whatsapp
Hi good afternoon ma,can I start provision store business with 200k?
yes on a very tiny scale
Madam please can I use 200 thousand to start provision business
yes@Armstrong but you will get quantity according to your capital
Is it advisable for a student to start a provision business
It is demanding because it requires constant presence. If you have a trustworthy person to work for you good but is hard to find based on experience
Please MA can I start provision store with # 15000
Can I start a wholesale provision business with 300,000
Yes@Eze in that case you will buy different products in small quantities
Thanks so much for the ideas,plz the place where I’m selling provisions we are 3in numbers and I don’t really stay there that much,my idea is to be distributing around my areas,plz what do you think?
Start a sub-distribution maybe biscuit from there you can be adding more things since you like supplying aspect of it
Can I start retailing provision and soup items with 100k?
Yes@Comfy
Thank you so much Eno Johnson. Your ideas are really helpful at this time. They are what I really really need now.
Please can I reach you via WhatsApp?
Yes@Victoria
Sorry to ask you this ma, please how do I write a business plan, because I want to open a provision store business too I have my capital? Please help me ma, And send me your WhatsApp number thanks.
check online you will see business plan sample 08035965405
Please I want to start a provision business to sell in wholesale in logos. please where can I buy items from
Go morning Mrs Eno
I want to start up a provision /cosmetics shop in my street in onitsha, where can I see a distributor to buy from?
Asked others where they buy from. Onitsha is a high commercial centre and will have many provision distributors
Good evening madam
Good morning ma please I want to start wholesale provision business with 400000 but how can I know the price and sell it to customer
Nice write up appreciate
Please ma I want start wholesale provision with 100k can I is the money not too small
@Adeola, its small but you can start woth few limited things that has increase and fast buying
Please ma can someone combine retail and wholesale the same time
Yes that’s how must wholesalers operate
Pls ma, I need your WhatsApp number for More information
08035965405
Great write up ma.
Madam pls i want to start a retail provision store in my street but want to borrow money like 200k.can i recover this money and pay back in two months from this business??.. advice pls
Please dont borrow. Starting of business and establishing it is a gradual process. Provision is not a get rich can of business. It works on return if you pay back how will you continue the business
Nice write up God bless you as you share this ,how can we get those CAC easily
Check Nairaland for agents
Thank you very much madam eno Johnson, I really appreciate ur teaching, plus I want to start provision business in uyo but Dere are lots of competitors in my area Aka Itiam, which other area is advisable pls
Aka Itaim has a good population ao sont be afraid to start you can make yours unique by concentrating on the sells of fast moving products of different brands auch as; indomie, tissue papers etc
I like you ma’am, your teachings are good
I appreciate @Lilian
How do I start up a provision store business and rent a store with little capital for a start. Is it profitable?
I really love this write up .it’s very comprehensive.but I av a question .How can I start a provision biz from my house (wholesale ) because I don’t have much to allow me rent a space . thanks ma
You can start at home provided it is a concentrated area. When people know that you are selling wholesale they will trace you
Thank you ma
You are welcome @Patricia
Is #70,000 fee go to provision business plus the shop rent
Please start with foodstuff and be adding provision small small like indomie, soap etc With foidstuff you can make money fast to grow the business
Please…. Having 300k can that money withstand a good retail business both for rent and materials needed for the business.
It depends on the rent if 100k then you can start with 200k
Please i need distributors contact in Abuja, those that are already into the business are not willing to help
Go to Wuse market you will see plenty of them
Please ma I have started a cosmetic wot of 60k but I want to add provision wot of 100k, can I be able to add peovision with 100k
very well
I have 1.5m and I DNT know the kind of business I cn starte wit please help me I need your advice
@Flourish, I don’t normally do that, please check from the list of article in my site and chose the one you have interest in and ask questions were you need clarification. i will be very willing to help
Hi Eno please can you help me with provision list 100k
@Azubike, when you get to the dealers shop tell them you are new in the business and want them to give you fast moving products, they will do it for you
Pls I want to start provision and foodstuffs in a big way with 1million hope it will go in a long way?
Yes, that will be a good start
Good morning ma, please I will need your contact for more assistance as am about to start my provision business , I mean your number please
08035965405
Pls Ma, with the Provision Shops shown above how much can I use to set up these type?.
It will reach 1m
Advice pls i have 1million and i don’t know which business to do with it
Very impressive ????
You Worth more to call mentor, I was really procrastinating, but your ideas helps allot
I want to ask a question, how much can someone use in this falling economy to set up exacts provisions indicate in that picture ????
Any idea from you will help allot, THANKS
@Daimond 1m will set up similar shop
Ma’am, can I start a provision store with 200k? Again, do I need to register my business with?
Yes you can but the products won’t be much. In that case sell mostly the fast moving products
hello, u dint answer if she needs to register the business?
Yes, it is nice for her to have a business name, so let her register with CAC
Pls cab a guy do provision business .
I really love the business but it seems to me as a woman business
Haba if male are into raw food business how much more provision, infact the ratio to me is 50:50
Thanks ma’am.
Please, is it advisable to quit my banking job to start a provision business?
@Sola please establish it first before quiting
Good morning ma’am, please can someone start wholesale and retail supper store in a 12 by 12 shop also can you help with the distributors contact in Port Harcourt those into it will not want to help.Thanks.
yes you can but how you arrange the shop matters. I’m sorry I dont know any, find out if anybody from your church or religious gathering, they will be in the best position to help
Please ma can I start a wholesale with 300k?
yes, the capital you have will determine the size of your store
Thanks you so much Eno Johnson your idea help a lot.
I want to ask a question
Between wholesale and retail which one can I go for! With 300k to have plenty goods and have more profit
You can do both in other to capture many customers
Thanks ma
Can 20yrs boy do provision business
you are welcome@Freedom, yes he can provided he is smart and has business ideas
Hello Ma’am thanks alot for the information. I have been looking for this opportunity for a long time and have it now. Please I want to start a provision store but I have to write business proposal for it and send to my sponsors for fund. Could you please help me how I can go about this? Is very urgent. Thank you ma.
Kind regards
Ma can I start provision shop and container shop with 170k
What kind of container shop, you mean the ones used for packaging drinks, groundnut or…?
Ma I am grateful for this ……God bless you ma
amen. Thanks@Ibrahim
Advice pls i have 1million and i don’t know which business to do with it
please go through my articles and chose anyone that interest you
Is there any place I can buy provision in b
ulk in onitsha please
yes ask provision traders at least one person will have a liberal heart to give you the address
Thank you for the information, I’m really grateful for this,at least I have an idea on how to start a provision store may God bless you ma
Comment:thank you ma is test on business plan that we are asked to wrote in school but with your help i score the highest mark thank you ma
Waoh!, I am so glad to read your comment @Yusuf, you just made my day. I wish you greater height in your academics
Please ma’am, Where can I buy goods (provision) for wholesale in Benin, Edo state?
Please ask provision sellers around you, I’m sure one of them will be kind to direct
Thank you very much for this.. But can 500k open a provision store including shop rent, deep freezer, generator, counters, A. C(or fans), etc and how much to register a business
@Amy, it depends on which of the registration you are going for but Ventures is from #15,000 and above depending on who is doing it for you
Ma what business can I start with #150,000 in Enugu.
You can go into food supplies
Ma plz help me out my business is not going well so what can I do to stand back
chat me up on 08155196689
I really love this
Ma please wish advise do you have for me about provision business cuz am a young boy and I like provision business, please ma I wish to start and I need your help ma am in akure
Ma please wish advise do you have for me about provision business cuz am a young boy and I like provision business, please ma I wish to start and I need your help ma am in akure
Ma please wish advise do you have for me about provision business cuz am a young boy and I like provision business, please ma I wish to start and I need your help ma am in akure
@Abass, I will advice you to start no matter how small, provision business is easy to grow
This really helps thanks so much ma for this I was even about to start up a provision shop and looking for someone to ask about it.
you are welcome @Blessing, I wish you the best
Honestly I really appreciate ur encouragement it melt my heart, at first I really don’t know what to do but I just got ur site, u really put strength in me thanks so much ma
THANKS @CHIDERA
Please ma can I start a wholesale an retail provision business in 1.5million
YES PLEASE. WE SPOKE AT LENGTH, I WILL LIKE YOU TO APPLY THE MODEL I TOLD YOU
Ok thanks so much ma
Hi dear.. I really appreciate the ideal you shared with us here. GOD bless. I will like to ask if it’s a good ideal to open a provision store in a market area?
Amen, thank you. yes please very very good. my sister has her own in the market. Retailers go to the market to purchase in bulk for their shops
Please ma I will like to have your WhatsApp number am very interested to open a provision store business
08035965405
Hello ma, please can 1m start both wholesales and retail?
yes, you can do the two in the same place
Thanks very much wish to start mind soon
Pls ma can 50,000 open a provision shop and rent
it depends on location, lets assume you are paying rent 1k a month then you can start very small with 49k with few items
Ma, can 700k start a wholesale business in a semi-urban area? And which business will you recommend
yes @Collins
Good morning ma please can u drop ur number for private calls.
Thankz
08155196689
Good day ma, pls apart from those selling whosale in the market where else can one get dealers to buy from at cheaper rate am going into whosale and retail provision and food stuff.
I only know the one in my state Enyong street
Good morning madam, I want to start a provision shop in osogbo, I’ve been into wholesales drink before but bcos of the scarcity, I was thinking of adding provision to it. Can I combine both ma
Hello Omolola please go ahead. That’s what my sister is doing
Good day ma, I’m into detergent soap business but some people said I should add provision business to it, please me I want you to put me through. Thanks ma God bless you
yes you can add provision to it especially if the people requesting for it are consumers
Please ma, i want to start my provision business and i don’t konw how to go about it and i want you to highlight me ma
Please ma, i need a contact of distributor in osogbo osun state ma, please help me ma
Same here, am also in osogbo
Incase if u see any disturbutor contact lemme know
Thanks allot for your idea you share to all not everyone can do it thanks.
You are welcome @Jessy
Pls I have 800k for provision and cosmetic, but the container I have. is 6 by 7 feet, hope is not too small
it is okay by the time you arrange the items the shop will look full. Mind you the price of items have gone up, don’t be surprised when you seed a handful of items from that money…Lol
please ma, I’m about starting a provision/Foodstuff business, old is it advisable to stay in an enclosed estate, I mean inside the estate
yes please, it is a good location
I love the write up, it is very educating and interesting.
Thanks%Njoku
Ma,how far can 200k goes in starting a soft drinks business
My sis, e-small, you can buy from sub-distributors and add small amount to sell or retail
Please ma am from abia , I want to start a full provision business , I need site please any available shop in aba now .
@Chima, I don’t reside in Aba, if you are not committed to looking for a comfortable and good location for your business how will you commit to the business. Please go look for a place, i can guide you after that
Thank you so much
Have been thinking on how to go about my shop
I will soon graduate my mum use to sell stuffs like this
So I can handle a provision store
Thank God I decided to check and not to act only on my own
you are welcome@Victoria, all the best
I love it and am interested to learn
Hmmmm, thanks you ma for the guideline, am in the school now but i have the plan to open wholesale provision store with 500k and employ sales boy/girl and i want you to guide me through, please your Whatsapp number ma .
[ have responded to your WhatsApp message
Wow this is interesting….. thanks so much ma God bless you, but please will #400k be enough for me to start a wholesale provision
The prices of items have really gone up, you can create a niche with that amount
I have never seen a teacher so opened like this. God bless you Madam.
Amen, thanks
Hi ma I just got to the area and is also a new site.. But they already have one person selling there can I also open my shop with the same item.
It’s okay if the population is high
Madam please would 500000k go a long way in opening a provision store business?
Yes, it is okay for a start though the price of items are but the shop may look scanty if it is large.
Eno please can i have your number
08035965405
Please I want to start wholesale wer do I buy
find out from those already in the business in your location
Please am in ondo state tell me the nearest place that I can buy the provision items
hmmm…weldone @poster. this is handy. thanks
Thanks eno Johnson I really love your teaching
God bless and prosper you ma, u are such an Angel
Amen, thanks@Esther
Thank you very ma i really appreciate your efforts in answering all questions.pls ma i just started my provision business what can i do to attract customer
Congrats, make the shop to look attracted, well arranged. You can let go of #10 meaning don’t be too rigid
Comment:I really love this so helpful
Ma, please I need you to help me write a business plan for a provision store, my big sister requested for it and I don’t know how to go about it…… My capital budget is 300k, I have a shop and other equipment already…. Please ma it’s urgent…..
My contact 08155196689
Please ma, I want to know how I can register a business name for my provision business
Hello @Rosemary, you can register online by login to their platform or go to CAC office in your location
Ma I’m a student and I sell in my room in the hostel. I started with 10000 naira ., It’s not moving fast partly because many students are at home and l use the money for transportation and other very basic female needs it’s not helping me and l feel l should stop the business, what do you think?
Put a hold to it for now because provision business profits more when there is overturn, you can look for one thing that is in high demand but in short supply and deal on that for now until school resumes
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I was looking for someone to put me through on starting my provision store thank God I come across you, please ma can you put me through on how to write my provision store plan?
Check online for samples of business plans
God bless u, pls, if i want to start a provision shop with only 100 thousand naira, what goods can i start with?
You can go for biscuit only
Good evening ma, God bless you for all you do. Pls ma, now that things are costly in the market, how much do you think can set up a provision store and pls I will really need the items to set up a provision store.
Madam Eno, please can a guy start a provision business?
Yes please @Ayotola, it is not gender selective, very many guys are running provision stores
A very good write-up
Thanks @Njoku
Pls can I start up a provision store with 150k
Too small but you can start with few items depending on your location
Is there assurance of getting atleast 10% profit on everything sale.
sure
Please ma can 200k start up provision shop, with shop rent and materials needed for the business??
Please source for more funds. How much is rent and how much will remain for items
Good day, ma. Nice platform and thanks for being helpful.
I want to set up a provision store, can a 500k start on a wholesale aside shop rent?
Can you help me with a list of products likely to make wave.
Thanks
There is no specific item, what you have to do is to observe the product having high demand in your location. No please 500k cannot in Nigeria of today
Thank u so much ma I just called u now
You are welcome dear I wish you the best
Thank you Soo much am really grateful
You are welcome @Odunayo