What you need to open a fish shop

If you’re considering opening a fish shop, there’s a lot to think about first. From the cost of setting up your shop to the right location and equipment, many factors will determine whether your business succeeds.

Careful planning is important in any business, particularly in the tough food industry. There is a lot of pressure to keep up with ever-changing regulations and stay on top of food safety, while also ensuring that your products are fresh and of high quality. Attracting repeat customers can also be a challenge that new food businesses need to overcome.

To make sure your fish shop thrives, it's important to have all the necessary elements in place. Creating a plan or checklist of things to achieve before you open your doors is an effective way to ensure that you don't forget things and helps you to focus on the most important priorities. Here's our list of things to do to help you get started.

1. Find a suitable location

The location of your shop will play a key role in its success. Before you start looking for the ideal premises, make sure that you know what kind of customer base you want to attract. If you’re targeting customers who love fresh seafood, then it makes sense to be close to the water. If you’re hoping to attract customers who are looking for convenience, then it may be better to choose a location close to public transport or busy streets.

There are a few things to keep in mind when scouting the best spot. Look for places that have a lot of foot traffic, but aren't near many other food businesses selling the same products. You should also look for a venue that offers both parking facilities and is close to public transport so it's easy for customers to get to you.

 

2. Come up with a unique offering

Having a product that stands out is essential if you want your fish shop to be memorable. Think about what makes your store different and try to offer something that your competitors don’t. This could be anything from specialised equipment or services to an unusual range of products.

Perhaps you also want to offer a takeaway service on the side with freshly fried fish in a traditional beer batter, or you have secret sauce customers can order on the side that goes with anything. Whatever it is, highlight it on your menu so that customers know it exists and offer free tastings to get them hooked.

3. Create a comprehensive business plan

It’s important to create a comprehensive business plan before you start your fish shop. This is a document that outlines what the plans are for the business and how it will achieve those plans. It will serve as a valuable reference when it comes to applying for loans or other funding.

A good business plan should outline the goals you have for your business, how you intend to achieve them, the costs involved and any potential risks. It should include a marketing strategy, financial projections and a description of the products and services you will offer.

 

4. Partner with reliable suppliers

Finding reliable suppliers that you can trust to provide fresh seafood regularly is key to a successful fish shop. You want consistently available, high-quality products that are offered at competitive prices.

Look for suppliers who have a good reputation in the industry and are known for consistently delivering on time. Make sure that they are also able to provide a wide range of fish and other seafood so that your customers have plenty of choices.

5. Find the right financing

Once you have your business plan ready to go, it’s time to secure financing for your fish shop. Setting up a fish shop can be expensive and it’s important to have the right financial support in place. Depending on how much capital you need and where it is coming from, there are several options you could consider.

For example, you may need to take out a loan or raise funds from investors depending on your budget. There are also government grants you can apply for if you meet certain criteria. It’s important to research all the options available and find the one that works best for you and your situation.

 

6. Invest in the right equipment

When it comes to running a successful fish shop, having the right equipment is essential. You’ll need fridges for storing fresh fish, as well as blast chillers and freezers for keeping frozen items fresh and ready for sale. You'll also need display fridges so customers can see your products on offer.

For processing fish, a bone saw is useful to cut through frozen options or to offer smaller portions. You may also wish to vacuum pack some of your items and having a vacuum packing machine on hand makes this process much faster and less messy. Other items that help keep mess to a minimum include stainless steel tables or stainless steel containers, like GN containers , which are easy to clean and disinfect.

If you plan to serve freshly cooked fish, then a griddle and deep fryer are indispensable appliances. A deep fryer is also useful for making things like French fries to serve alongside fresh fish. To complement a takeaway offering, drinks fridges are an excellent choice to keep sodas and juices cold and ready to serve.

7. Get the most out of your marketing plan

Creating a marketing plan will help you reach your target audience to promote your products. It's important to create a budget for this and to dedicate some time and resources, not only to create a plan but also to execute it. Marketing can help drive sales, attract new customers and increase revenue so it's a clever idea to pay some attention to it.

There are plenty of options for getting the word out about your fish shop, from traditional print advertising to social media campaigns. Digital marketing is often more efficient if you have a smaller budget because it reaches more people and it can be done yourself. Whatever you decide to do, make sure that it’s cost-effective and has the potential to bring in new customers.

Although opening a fish shop can be a challenge at first, with careful planning, attention to detail, and an understanding of the local market, it can be an incredibly rewarding venture both financially and professionally.

Speaking with experienced business owners in the industry is one of the best ways to get insight into running a successful fish shop - so don't forget to network. Once you’ve put all the pieces in place, you’ll be ready to open your fish shop and start selling delicious seafood.