How to Start an Asian Food Retail Store

Any food-related business will always be successful if managed wisely. There is no better business other than the food business; in fact, 60% of modern entrepreneurs today focus on food franchising. Why? Because there is a never-ending demand for food.

Starting an Asian Food Retail Store can be profitable if you have the resources, knowledge, and will to run such a business. Most Asian people living in Europe and USA always look for foods from their native land, so they are your target customers.

asian food retail store

The first thing to do to run an Asian Business Retail Store is to know the product you will offer. There might be a lot of questions running into your mind, and some of them are: Are you an Asian too that knows how to cook Asian foods? Do you have a supplier of products that you might want to sell in your retail store? Are these products genuine and come from a specific Country in Asia? Who will buy your products? Are imported products safe? You must resolve These tough questions before starting an Asian food retail store business.

Aside from a business permit badly needed to start any business, you must have a large customer base. I mean that you must open your store in some places where Chinese or Filipinos live. There are certain places in the United States where you can see a lot of Asians, and these places are the best options to have your store located.

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I cannot estimate the funds needed to open a business like this. It depends on the products you want to offer and the sources of your products.

Assuming that you will offer some imported goods from China, India, the Philippines, or Indonesia, how may you tell these groups that you have goods ready to sell? Consider having some Asian friends and knowing their needs. Join their community meetings, conventions, and other gatherings, and offer your business cards and advertising materials.

Word of mouth is more powerful than direct and paid advertising. If you plan to cook and offer some food in a restaurant, ensure you have the most experienced chef, or else the taste of your foods might differ from that of native delicacies. If one customer doesn’t like what you offer and got a bad experience with your product or service, the whole group might stay away from your business.

Most non-American people living in the United States or even in Europe know a lot of fellow countrymen, so if you win any of them, others will follow. This is one of the best things in opening a specialized business like this one. If there’s already a business like this in your area and you have no other place to set up your store, consider changing your plan by offering products not available to that existing store. If you have unique products, customers of that existing store will spend some extra minutes visiting your store and trying other products.

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92 Comments

  • Morup Namgyal said on May 26, 2010
    i am opening a japanese food retail store in Gurgaon, India. i am already in this trade since 5 years i am importing Japanese food and supplying to Hotels, now i want to start with retail store, could you guide me on this. Thanks, regards, M.namgyal
  • Maylene Homan said on September 27, 2010
    hi i'm planning to open a small asian grocery i am planning to open a shop in maitland nsw. i'm just wondering maybe you could help me.
  • Lantz Thompson said on January 17, 2011
    I'm married to a Filipina and we are wanting to start a asian grocery in Pocatello, Idaho. we're moving there and we haven't seen any there. we're not sure how to get it started or how to get contacts for importing authentic groceries.
  • Jorge Rosario said on February 4, 2011
    I'm planning on opening an Asian Supermarket or small grocery store in South Florida. Any information on how I can start would be a great help.
  • Jaden Capiendo said on February 15, 2011
    I would like to start a small Oriental store business in NV. I need contacts on how to get wholesale Asian food products and also delivered to the store as you order. Any information given will be greatly appreciated.
  • taveewan said on February 17, 2011
    Hi... I'm planning to opening Thai and Asian food Supermarket in North London. I would like to know contacts how to get wholesale Asian food products and also delivered to the store as you order. Any information please given will be very greatly appreciated.
  • LINH said on March 18, 2011
    hi , I'm planning to open a small vietnamese grocery store in missouri .But i don't know how can i start it ,any information please !thanks
  • Avic said on April 3, 2011
    i'm planning an asian retail store in murrieta and need to know the wholesalers, dealers to buy products
  • janette said on May 12, 2011
    I would like to open an asia store in West Branch, Michigan and I really don't know how to get started. Where do I get my product from and how much fund is sufficient to open an asian store?
  • Dioresa said on November 1, 2011
    My husband and I are thinking of opening an Asian Grocery in Hays Kansas. There are about 400 Asians in the city of 20K, mostly Chinese college students, there are also 4 Chinese type of restaurants in the city. What should be the ratio of customers to a store ? I also think if we could locate close to the college we would get other students as well for convincing reasons and curiosity....? A second opinion would be most welcome.
  • John said on November 9, 2011
    I was always curious about opening up an Asian Grocery store in Kansas City, KS. Their are about 4000+ Asians in the city, majority of them being Hmong-Americans. There is currently only one Asian Grocery store in the city but its a small korean store. Where would I find a list of wholesalers. How much should I budget for startup? I'm always worried about competition because their are already established Asian Grocery stores in the surrounding cities.
  • gigi said on January 2, 2012
    Hi. I would like to open a Asian Mini store. I dont know how will I get my product?And how much fund will I need to set this up? I live in LI, NY. I met a lot of asian people and we have to travel in Queens to buy stuff.
  • Melinda said on January 12, 2012
    I would like to open an Asian market in Elk Grove, CA. But I don't know where to find export products and how much capital to start. Can you help me please.
  • kate said on January 22, 2012
    Hi,I would like to open asian mini store i live in norway want to open the store in Rissa because every time we want to buy food from asian store we have to take ferry for travel go to Trondheim and is expensive...in this areal have no any asian store and here have a lot of asian people. I think is be good to make in here i want to know about how to get product come to the store how much i have to pay for all in the store.and i want to know a bout tax too.,thank you ..wait for the answer ...kate
  • Lydia said on January 28, 2012
    Dioresa* You might not see this, but please I hope you and your husband decide to open up an Asian Grocery! Many of my friends (lots of them aren't asian) and I want one here. I dont have a car and I can't afford to go a long ways just to buy food. I would go to your place several times a week!- A FHSU Student
  • Long said on February 2, 2012
    Hi I'm looking to open an Asian grocery store in pinedale, ca!! I'm looking to see what's the average cost of products that I would need in order to start?
  • tum said on February 13, 2012
    Hi, i'm planning to open a small asian grocery i am planning to open a shop in kettering uk. i'm just wondering maybe you could help me. we're not sure how to get it started. Thanks
  • Lan said on February 16, 2012
    HI,my husband is just lost his job due to the factory closing down, and we both have been thinking for a very long times about opening an Asian grocery store which have all kinds of Asian foods eg: thai, chinese, japanese, indian, Malaysian, phillipino, singaporean, vietnamese and so on, with fresh meat and fish, near Marion shopping centre In Adelaide south Australia. We don't know where to get ours products from, can we order it though the internet? how much money do you think that we need to be able to open one? This would be just a family businesses. Please advise me, thank!
  • Yer said on March 10, 2012
    Hello I and my sister want to open an asian grocery store in the milwaukee, WI area. Can you get me information and how to get all the right license. Thank you.
  • Achel said on April 17, 2012
    Hi, i am planning to start a Asian mini-retail Store here in Maine. Can you help me where i can get a wholesales Authentic Asian products with lowest prices. Thanks for help.
  • Daniel Mendoza said on April 22, 2012
    I am planing to open asian small store in Deming New Mexico I just don't know what warehouse to order from I like to buy alittle bit and sell at a flea market to see how it will sell
  • tina said on May 7, 2012
    Hi, i am planning to start a small Asian grocery store here in Tallinn, Estonia (northern Europe). Can you help me find supplier? My prepared products are come from the following countries: japan, indonesia, china, thailand and philippines. thanks for you!
  • thanh said on June 19, 2012
    Hi my name is thanh I am from USA Wichita Kansas i would like to open a vietnamese grocery market , but I don't know what to start, fund, products, and etc... Would you help me than
  • Dori Magee said on August 22, 2012
    My address is Lehigh Arecs FL, I want to open an small Asian supermarket. How can I order? how much I need pay? Thank you!!
  • Krongrak. Joekladal said on August 30, 2012
    Hi I live in small island name is Faroe. Island in Denmark I am planing to make my business to sale Thai Asia food product but everything here is so expensive ,and I would like to know were I can get supplier to send me the product to my store ,where is big supplier around Faroe island ,can you get me website or number phone ,best regard.
  • noy said on September 6, 2012
    would like to talk more via email but i do have the same questions as everyone above
  • Donna & John said on September 9, 2012
    Hi, we are planning to start an Asian grocery at melbourne but got no idea where to get the resource and how we are going to start first. Your help/advice would be much appreciated.Thank you. Regards, Donna & John
  • Ly said on September 9, 2012
    Hi wanting to open an Asian grocery store in Nebraska wondering how to get products. Your help would be greatly appreciated
  • cipriana b. lee said on November 17, 2012
    please help me ,I want to open an asian store in Beloit, wisconsin ,help me how to get a product ,thank you very much ,please answer my inquiry . sincerely , cipriana
  • LIU SHU said on December 8, 2012
    hi, I want to open an asian store(especially japanese food),could you help me to find asian food supplier in europe country?
  • Molly said on February 9, 2013
    I'm thinking of opening Asian grocery in pakenham Vic Australia!! How do I start?
  • khan said on February 12, 2013
    i want to open a Asian cash & carry i just move from uk to spain i did not fined any good asian grocery shop in Madrid spain i want a unique asian grocery shop. Location Madrid Spain. thanks
  • Tami said on March 6, 2013
    I am planning to bring a special soy sauce from Japan to the US and try to sell it here. Do you have any tips or resources I can use? I do not know much about distribution, but I have a partnership with the company in Japan. Thank you Tami Tamisun.tb@gmail.com
  • QIumei Bian said on April 2, 2013
    I was always curious about opening up an Asian Grocery store in Lawrence, KS. There are about 2000 Asians in the city, majority of them are related to University of Kansas. There is currently no Asian Grocery store. Where would I find a list of wholesalers. How much should I budget for start-up fund? I'm worrying the competition since there are already established Asian Grocery stores in Kansas City. Thank you for your help.
  • Amelia said on April 4, 2013
    Toledo ohio, 43611. Please help us, how to contact the supplier and how the business works..
  • jennifer said on April 6, 2013
    I would like to open thai, chinese, japanese, cereean, vietnamese Asian supermarket grocery store in O'fallon, IL. I don't know Where to get ours products from. thank you for your help.
  • Elen said on April 20, 2013
    Hi, I been thinking to open up Asian store in our area in Clifton park New York. How much should be the start up fund and where can I find good wholesalers that would deliver. Thank you.
  • pang said on April 30, 2013
    Does anyone know how I can get a hold of any wholesales that has plates and dishes???
  • Sami said on May 22, 2013
    Hello, I would like to start a Pakistani/Indian grocery store any help or resource will be appreciate it.. How much does it cost where can I get the inventory? The location is Elk Grove, California, USA. Thank you, Sami
  • Sheng said on May 23, 2013
    I need help finding some Hmong farmers in CA so I can get fresh produce for my grocery store every week, and also melamine wholesalers (bowls and plates that many Asian uses) Thanks.
  • Michael Lin said on June 3, 2013
    I am planning to open an Asian grocery store in Ontario, CA. I am thinking only Dried goods and no meat or vegetables. Please help me with wholesale suppliers and what would be the primary resource for marketing my store? I am meeting with the Leasing agent for the property for my store this week and what are useful questions to ask?
  • Nida said on June 5, 2013
    Hi, I just moved from Virginia to Lexington Park, MD. I would like to know where I can get wholesale foods supplies from. Please, I'm just waiting for your help.
  • rajesh said on June 17, 2013
    We are supplier of Indian food items office located in Mumbai, India. If any buyer all over the world wants to export the Indian food items items please contact us on atsplmumbai@gmail.com or +918108107878
  • rajesh said on June 17, 2013
    Interested to supply Indian items located in Mumbai India. Kindly send your requirements on atsplmumbai@gmail.com
  • Mario said on June 24, 2013
    I already have a Philippine and indonesian store, but I need more suppliers from which to buy at lower prices. Cause you send me a list suppliers of indo and phil products? Thanks
  • steve said on July 3, 2013
    Hi, I'm planning to open an asian retail store in my area we just moved in. Its quite a new suburb, south west of melbourne, australia. I would really appreciate if you could assist me how and where to start please? Thank you very much
  • Mindy said on July 17, 2013
    Hi! My family is planning to open an Asian food mart in San Antonio, Texas. A list of supplier and other advices will be appreciated. Thank you
  • Mary jane said on July 27, 2013
    I also want to open an ASIAN food store in Norway. how will i start? Where and how to get supplies?
  • Dung van Nguyen said on August 6, 2013
    Hi, Me and my wife are planning to open small Asian grocery store at Maryland. And we don't know how we start, like where we are order all food. Can you please give me a change to work with you thank you.
  • Maria Fe Armedilla said on August 18, 2013
    Hello everyone Me and my husband are planning to open a small Asian retail store here Sitges, Barcelona, Spain. We don't know where to get the wholesale supplies. Thank you and I hope that you can send me the list of suppliers.
  • panpan said on August 21, 2013
    I would like to open a Asian grocery store at Orlando. How can I start, how do I need, where can I order a supply food. Thanks .
  • JENNY said on September 16, 2013
    hello i would like to start small grocery of asian food. i need contact on how to get wholesale asian food product and also delivered to the store as you order any information given will be greatly appreciate. we´re here in madrid.
  • thao said on October 1, 2013
    hi I would like to open an asian grocery store, ca area. but don't know where to start. Can you get me information on how can i start, how to get all the right license, plus where to order supplies and products? thank you.
  • Suzy said on October 12, 2013
    Hi, I want to open an Asian store in CA. I don't know how can I start to set up , it's also issue of fridge and frozen system, where I can find these stuff and how much I have to pay, and also sources of products. Can you help me.
  • Linda said on October 30, 2013
    Hi, I'm starting a small filipino store just in home, but to get product I need to travel 2.5 hrs, and it's not wholesale. Though I get a little discount for buying bulk but still not worth of the gas. I contacted someone online for wholesale but does involved credit approval. Well that's the problem, I don't have good credit and was just paying cash/ debit. I don't want credit check involve. Please help. It is in Newport Maine.
  • Wenwen said on November 18, 2013
    I also plan to start Asian retail shop in europe. How to find supplier?
  • Mary said on November 22, 2013
    We are looking to sell our Asian grocery business. If any one is interested, email us at mtd375@gmail.com. We are located in Philadelphia, PA.
  • Sanam khan said on December 1, 2013
    Hello, I would like to open an Indian/Pakistani grocery store in Elk Grove CA I would like to know where can I get all the supplies? and how much do I need to open the store? how much do I need for inventory? I would appreciate it if you give me some info or guide on step by step I don't have any background in retail business contact me on sanamkhan94@yahoo.com. thank you. Sanam Khan
  • Janice Orano said on December 20, 2013
    hi good day, i am filipina and residing in Portugal for almost 10 years , where i can find retailers of Philippines and asian product , and how i can contact them. i hope you can help me. thank you so much, Janice
  • richard said on January 28, 2014
    Hi i want to open an asian grocery store in darwin, northern territory, australia. Can you help with initial cost to set up a store?
  • chitz said on February 1, 2014
    Hello!! I've longed been wanted to put up my own grocery store here in Va Beach, VA as I've been doing this for long in the Phil. I need the list of wholesalers/suppliers that delivers as it would be the main resources for marketing my store. Thank you!
  • Amelyn said on March 12, 2014
    Hi, I want to open a shop in Italy, asean product ,pls could you help me the list of wholesales/suppliers that can delivers to my shop?
  • Julius Cantillep said on March 30, 2014
    Tamcor Mexim, USA. Importer, Wholesaler and Distributor of Filipino Foods
    Warehouse Locations: Los Angeles,CA/ San Francisco CA and Kent, Washington Exclusive Distributor of MY San Products (Skyflakes)
  • Judith Acain said on June 23, 2014
    Hi all , Herman Kuijper BV in The Netherlands is a big import export of Fresh and Dry Asian food and non - food. We supply whole over Europe. For more info please don't hesitate to contact me my email address is : jacain@hermankuijper.com . Thank you
  • K b aziz said on September 16, 2014
    Hi everybody! We sunrise enterprise from bangladesh looking for importers of aromatic rice. If anybody interested pls contact us. Email : se.uttara@gmail.com.
  • VIJAY said on October 21, 2014
    I am Based at Gurgaon Haryana and i want to open a grocery store in Gurgaon or near by location like Neemrana or Bawal. I want to know from where i can order the items in bulk or a list of wholesalers and what is the estimated budget for the same
  • Chan said on November 1, 2014
    I like to start a little Asian Grocery store in Fresno, CA. Do you have any ideas where to get the wholesale products?
  • Yan said on December 10, 2014
    I plan to open asian grocery store in Tulsa, Ok. I just sell fresh foods like fish, meat, vegetable and frozen foods. Do I need to find designer to draw floor plan? And do I need to get food handler permit if I just sell raw food? Can you tell me the budget for a 10000sf store? How big the freezer and cooler I need to install? Do you know the distributor near my area?
  • Sal said on January 13, 2015
    I want to open an Asian market in Indio,Ca. I'm not sure where to start. Please help. I would appreciate all the information and help you can give me.
  • Madame said on January 20, 2015
    I want to open small Asian grocery in Victoria ,TX.....I want to know where I should start . I would appreciate all the information you can give me.
  • Amarnath R Mettu beginner adviser said on February 1, 2015
    I am Amar Mettu, i can set up Indian Grocery Stores in USA. Contact me at amarmettu13@gmail.com

    amarmettu13@gmail.com || Consultant

  • Pimmi said on February 11, 2015
    I plan to open Asian farmer market in Lagrange, Ga. I need to know how to get wholesale Asian food products and also delivered to the store as you order any information given will be greatly appreciate ,and Can you please give me information on how can i start, how to get all the right license. Please advise. May God bless you. Phimvarach@yahoo.col.th
  • Kobkaew said on February 17, 2015
    I want to open small Asian grocery and sell food cook too, pls contact me, thank
  • Lenora Villanueva said on February 24, 2015
    My husband and I want to start a small asian market. We don't know where to start or who to contact for information about ordering the products. Please contact me asap thank you.
  • JV said on March 7, 2015
    We want to open an oriental store in Maryland. We want to offer Spanish, African, Asian and Indian groceries. Need help figuring out cost to start, suppliers, licensing etc. Thanks.
  • fey Saephan bjork said on April 23, 2015
    I would like to open an asain grocery market and was needing information about lic. Suppliers please contact me ASAP any information would be much appreciated.. feybjork@gmail.com
  • Paw said on July 3, 2015
    Hello, I want to open asian grocery store in Thunder Bay(canada). Maybe you can help me with all the informations I will need. Thanks
  • Maribeth said on September 4, 2015
    Hi, I would like to start a small filipino/Asian store in the Tulsa/Broken Arrow area (Oklahoma) with a small area of ready to eat food. I don't know where and/or how to start. I would appreciate any advice I can. Thank you very much, Maribeth
  • PP said on September 21, 2015
    I want to open a small Asian Store in AR. I need to know how to get wholesale Asian food products and also delivered to the store and how much do I need to open the store? I hope that you can help...appreciate!
  • Jerrick said on October 8, 2015
    I want to open a asian store in kirkenes norway can you pls help me get a suppliers and i want to know how much capital do i need to start
  • mm said on November 2, 2015
    Hello i want to open an asian/filipino store here in north dakota but i don't know any suppliers for me to buy asians foods, where can i buy a wholesale asian products? please i need help.thank you!
  • seokjin Kim said on January 28, 2016
    Hi, I am going to open Asian/Pacific store in UT. I need to know how to buy supplies and where to buy Asian products? Please help me.
  • Leaj Leaj said on February 25, 2016
    Hi I want to start a small Islanders store in Broken Bow Oklahoma.I need contacts on how to get wholesale Asian/PACIFIC food products and also delivered to the store as you order..Would you please help me Find a list of a wholesalers. THANK YOU.GOD BLESSED!
  • CK Chan said on March 24, 2016
    Hello, I want to open small Asian Market in Santa Barbara county,CA but I just do not have any experience. Not sure about the fund to start up and legal, suppliers. Where can I find it? Could you give me some ideas how to set it up? Please give me step by step.would be very helpful to me. Thank you very much.
  • Klokweasianstore said on May 9, 2016
    Hi, I am going to open Asian grocery store in Monmouth,il and I want to know more how to get whole sale? Any can help me? Thank you.
  • Klokweasianstore said on May 9, 2016
    Hi, I am going to open Asian store at Monmouth,IL warren county. I want to know where to get wholesale and any help me?Thank you
  • Loan said on June 15, 2016
    I would like more information about how to open an Asian grocery store in Denver, Colorado. The leasing space is 3000sq.
  • Yvette Toth said on December 19, 2016
    I came from the Philippines and currently live in Texas. Please help me start an oriental market. Thanks.
  • emely said on April 6, 2018
    i want to start an asian store in norway but i dont know where to export products too, and where should i start hope you can help me.
  • Lhynn said on January 13, 2019
    Hi, I want to open a small Asian shop in Northampton, UK. I don't have any experience. I don't know the legalities, funding & suppliers. Could you please give me some ideas on how to set it up? If you could give me some idea of the steps that I would need to take to get this moving. Thank you in advance
  • Mylene R said on May 6, 2019
    Hi, i am a Filipina living in Austria and I wanted to build a small Asia shop here in my place. But i don't know how i started. Can i have any idea how to do the supplier or anything else I should do? thank u
  • ren said on August 27, 2021
    Me and my husband thought of opening a small Asian store don't know how to start.

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