By Marxwell January 1, 2023 small startups 0 Comments

How to Successfully start a cosmetics shop in Uganda (2023).

When we talk about beauty, you know what it means. Ladies will do all it takes to look beautiful. How about using this to your advantage. It’s a deal right? That’s what a cosmetics shop is all about. Selling cosmetics, and all types of beauty agents to those who are desperate for beauty out there. In this article, we shall clearly look at what it takes to start a cosmetics shop. Planning it out and tips to get ahead of others in the cosmetics business.

What is a cosmetics shop and who is this business good for?

A cosmetics is a specialty retailer that sells cosmetics, hair-care products and/or beauty tools. this business is good for anyone that is willing to invest. some of the products to deal in include; Shower soaps and gels, skin care products like creams and anti stains and anti-pimple products, hair and nail improvement products or artificials of these, perfumes, deodorants and sprays

Why you should start a cosmetics shop.

There is ready market for cosmetics products
It’s easy to start one. There is no special skill required to operate a cosmetics shop.
To earn profits associated with a cosmetics shop.

There are many reasons to start a cosmetics shop but generally, all the advantages associated with starting your own side hustle come by. So starting one and persisting to see it grow is an all win case scenario.

How to start a cosmetics shop in Uganda?

Back to the subject matter. If this is the burning question inside your head, then tighten your seat belt! What it takes to start a cosmetics shop is discussed below.

Plan your business.

Think about how you’ll organize and start off your business chronologically and most importantly if it’s worthy especially in the area you are going to put it. Is the area favorable? This shall be based on your population and the number of cosmetics shops already in the area. Things of the sort just to clearly ascertain if your cosmetics shop is ideal in your area.

Some key aspects to deal with while planning your cosmetics shop are;

Executive summary: An executive summary should contain a brief introduction and summary of your entire business plan

Business description: This is a clear description of where your business will be located, the products you will sell, and who your target customers are, your projected growth, your partners in business, the different opportunities your business offers, and more.

Business goals and objectives including production strategies: what do you want to achieve and how do you plan to achieve it?

Market analysis: know your competitors, their strength, and weaknesses. This helps you exploit their weaknesses to your advantage.

Organization and management structure: how does workflow through your business with the main goal of achieving the business’s goals and objectives

Sales strategies: sales strategies are plans for promoting and selling your product or service to buyers in a unique way from those of your competitors. This can help you can make more sales

Funding and financial projections and mores others: You want to start your business. Where are you going to get funds to start off your business? How much do you expect to earn from your cosmetics venture. This is what this is all about. consider the article for details on how to write a business plan for your cosmetics shop.

Source funds for the business.

To start a cosmetics shop, you need to give this serious attention. I know you did plan for this while planning your business. Now, it’s time to put your plans into actions by raising funds for your cosmetics shop. We can suggest some ways, some of which are through bank loans, from your savings, from your national small starter funding programs and many more ways. If you don’t mind, we have a full article on how to raise money for your business. It can be of help.

Find a good shop location.

Location is king and has a lot to play as far as the success of your business is concerned. If you are in a place that isn’t close to town, customers will find it hard to come to your shop. Remember your competitors are accessible. Look out for space in the busy town center with room for expansion and accessible to customers.

Find cosmetics to deal in and suppliers.

Cosmetics is a broad term that brings together a lot of products all geared towards improving beauty. You may not have all that is ‘cosmetic’ in your shop. It may even escalate the startup cost in the end. So you need to carry out research and determine the highly demanded products that you’ll readily avail people in your shop. The products range from, Shower soaps and gels, skin care products like creams and anti stains and anti-pimple products, hair and nail improvement products or artificials of these, perfumes, deodorants and sprays. The list is endless.

Now that you now know what products you are going to deal in. what about suppliers?

This shall heavily depend on your scale. You can purchase locally for small scale and import products if you are a large scale operator. Some of the products are manufactured in Uganda hence making it easy to purchase

Purchase tools and equipment.

These are aids to your cosmetics business. You’ll need these to ease your delivery of goods to your clients. Some of the tools you may need are shelves to aid product display, a counter for the same.

Look at your stay in the shop, you may need a fan just for fresh air. Some of these cosmetics too are not good to stay around them health wise. You may consider rotation of your staff, and ideally a fan as suggested before.

Look at security. You may need some cameras just to keep an eye on your staff especially if the shop is big. You can make considerable losses due to theft of products by workers. Consider this seriously.

Look at stock management. You may need a computer just to manage your stock. You can manage your stock manually but a computer may help you better as;

It reminds you of products that will run out of stock in the near future
It eases balancing your stock to easily know what is left. With this, you can easily track product theft by workers
It can analyze your sales on a daily basis to clearly show products that are highly demanded and those with minimal demand to guide you stocking exercise

Hire staff for your cosmetics shop.

Based on your scale of production, you may need 1-5 workers in your cosmetics shop. It possible and best if you do the work yourself especially if you start your business on a small scale.

Start your business.

Now that you have everything in order, what’s left is officially starting your business. You may choose to launch with a party, run advertisements all over and a sound system move around town introducing your business to your town.

Tips to get ahead in the business.

Have vendors to move the products to village markets during market days.
Trade shows can help improve your business as you’ll showcase the different cosmetic products you deal in. Whenever there is one in your area, book a place and get involved fully. You not only sell products there but also get people to know your business.
In case of one-time customers, you can charge them based on how they present themselves. Since cosmetics are like medicine, people can pay higher based on how desperate they are to improve themselves. Use this as a stepping stone to restructure your charges.
Trade offers, discounts and generally selling the products at a relatively low price especially at the start of your business will attract you tons of customers
Carry out some research on which products actually work. If a customer’s problem say skin color is solved, they’ll develop trust I you and bring you more customers

Conclusion.

After going through all the information in this article, you have a clear understanding of what it takes to start a cosmetics shop. Nevertheless, if you have some questions resonating in your mind n how to start a cosmetics shop, Let us know! We would be happy to answer any additional question about starting a new cosmetics shop in Uganda. Drop it down in the comment box.

We are open to giving assistance to anyone bold enough to start off the business. Contact us through the contact form. Success in your business journey.