A baby store sells clothing, furniture, toys, food, and accessories geared toward young children and their family. Your store may be a big box location that offers affordable items targeted at the majority of families or a boutique featuring unique designs and products with a higher purchase price. You may offer a baby shower registry, support services for new parents, and even rental equipment.
Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Tailor Brands ($0 + State Fees)
Start a baby store by following these 10 steps:
- Plan your Baby Store
- Form your Baby Store into a Legal Entity
- Register your Baby Store for Taxes
- Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
- Set up Accounting for your Baby Store
- Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Baby Store
- Get Baby Store Insurance
- Define your Baby Store Brand
- Create your Baby Store Website
- Set up your Business Phone System
We have put together this simple guide to starting your baby store. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.
Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.
STEP 1: Plan your business
A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:
- What will you name your business?
- What are the startup and ongoing costs?
- Who is your target market?
- How much can you charge customers?
Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.
What will you name your business?
Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Baby Store Name Generator
If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.
When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:
- Your state’s business records
- Federal and state trademark records
- Social media platforms
- Web domain availability
It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.
What are the costs involved in opening a baby store?
Whether you are buying into a franchise, or starting out on your own, the investment required for a new baby store is significant. You will need capital for leasing/purchasing the storefront, initial inventory orders, hiring staff, point-of-sale systems, accounting computers, display racks, and living expenses for the first three years. You should not be surprised to need between $250,000 and $500,000 to start-up. If you are going for a big-box style store, minimum investment will be at least $1 million.
What are the ongoing expenses for a baby store?
Your payroll will be the largest controllable expense. Otherwise, maintaining inventory will always be a huge line item in your budget. Maintaining the property and computer systems comes in third.
Who is the target market?
Anybody who is expecting a baby, has a child, or knows somebody with children. While more profit per item can be made with a more upscale boutique, a budget friendly store will always be in high demand. Practically the entire world is your potential customer base.
How does a baby store make money?
You will be purchasing your products at a wholesale rate from a variety of manufacturers and distributors. You earn a profit by selling them at a retail rate.
How much can you charge customers?
You will need to actively run comparisons of baby products priced online and in your area. You may be selling some items for one dollar, while furniture can run in the thousands.
How much profit can a baby store make?
Hugely profitable international children’s stores can generate annual income of up to $5 million per location, but a small boutique may see annual sales of around $150,000. The average personal income for a boutique owner is around $50,000 per year. The average net profit for apparel is between 5% and 10% while furniture offers better profit per piece, but much lower volume of sales.
How can you make your business more profitable?
You will need to find the balance of low-profit items that are always in demand like clothing, diapers, and small toys and offer an enticing mix of high-profit items such as furniture, accessories, and home decor pieces in order to ensure constant repeat business and encourage impulse sales.
Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!
STEP 2: Form a legal entity
One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your baby store is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.
This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.
In practice, this means that if your baby store were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.
Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?
Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.
Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).
STEP 3: Register for taxes
You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.
In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!
You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?
There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.
STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card
Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.
When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.
Open a business bank account
Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:
- Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
- Makes accounting and tax filing easier.
Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.
Get a business credit card
Getting a business credit card helps you:
- Separate personal and business expenses by putting your business’ expenses all in one place.
- Build your company’s credit history, which can be useful to raise money later on.
Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.
STEP 5: Set up business accounting
Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.
Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.
STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses
Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.
State & Local Business Licensing Requirements
Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a baby store. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.
For more information about local licenses and permits:
- Check with your town, city or county clerk’s office
Get assistance from one of the local associations listed in US Small Business Associations directory of local business resources.
Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.
Certificate of Occupancy
A baby store is generally run out of a storefront. Businesses operating out of a physical location typically require a Certificate of Occupancy (CO). A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.
- If you plan to lease a location:
- It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
- Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a baby store.
- After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.
- If you plan to purchase or build a location:
- You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
- Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your baby store will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.
STEP 7: Get business insurance
Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.
There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.
Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.
Find out what types of insurance your Baby Store needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Baby Store.
STEP 8: Define your brand
Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.
If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.
How to promote & market a baby store
Your name and brand must appear anywhere that a new or expecting parent visits. This can include OB/GYN and pediatric offices, the library, civic centers, gyms, and day care centers. A direct mail campaign can target homes that are actively seeking baby services. You may wish to launch a website with a blog full of baby advice or create social media accounts that interact with new parents in the area. Inserts in Sunday newspapers and carefully positioned online ads will put your store’s name in front of as many potential customers as possible.
How to keep customers coming back
Your Grand Opening party should be fun and exciting. Hire a bounce house, clowns, face painting, and a snack station to create a festival atmosphere. Of course, you will want to offer some specials to get customers in the door to check out your beautiful and fun new store. For the first six months to a year, you may need to run specific bargains while you build your customer base. All those happy clients will return when you provide quality and unique products at a competitive price and provide exceptional customer service.
STEP 9: Create your business website
After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.
While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.
Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:
- All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
- Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
- Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.
Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.
Other popular website builders are: WordPress, WIX, Weebly, Squarespace, and Shopify.
STEP 10: Set up your business phone system
Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.
There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.
Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com
Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.
Is this Business Right For You?
If you enjoy working with families and children, and also relish the challenge of maintaining a retail establishment, you may enjoy operating your own baby boutique. Business management will be a large part of your day, so the right person will have some solid knowledge or experience in that area.
Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?
Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!
What happens during a typical day at a baby store?
When you run your own baby store, you will be:
- Matching customers to the right product that fits their style, budget, and needs
- Completing sales
- Finding new products for your shelves by curating new vendors and product lines
- Hiring and training sales staff
- Balancing your books
- Maintaining the store–keeping it clean and in good shape
- Creating marketing campaigns that generate new interest among the community
- Setting up your own online store which requires a wrapping and shipping station
- Creating attractive displays in the store that helps your customers find the items for which they are looking
- Working weekends and extended hours, especially during holiday periods
What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful baby store?
Before you decide to open your baby boutique, you will need to know:
- Business management skills
- What the trending styles are
- Basic accounting skills
- Inventory control procedures
- Personnel hiring and training procedures
- Best customer service practices
- Current styles, products, and pricing for everything available in the baby store market
- The demographics of your target location to help build a store that meets local demand
- Accurate profit and loss projections for a start-up
What is the growth potential for a baby store?
If you should develop a unique shopping atmosphere with a selection of products that your customers can’t get enough of, it is possible to expand your hugely successful single storefront to a second or multiple locations. Since people will always have babies, there is always room in the market for a fresh look at baby stores. Your commitment to style, price, service, and selection will determine your future success in this business.
Take the Next Step
Find a business mentor
One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.
Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.
Learn from other business owners
Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.
Resources to Help Women in Business
There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:
- Funding
- Events
- Guides
- Support
If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.
What are some insider tips for jump starting a baby store?
While your new store should have a selection of unique toys and styles that can’t be found at the competition, there are plenty of basics you should stock, too. When parents can buy everything from diapers and bibs to bottles and cribs, they will come back in the future. Coordinate with local day cares, labor units at your hospital, and other kid-central locations to cross promote products and services. You might want to rent booths at health fairs, town parades, and other public events and offer balloons or coupons to get name recognition within the neighborhood.
How and when to build a team
If you are opening a large store, you will start hiring management as soon as the location is ready for occupation. Your sales staff can be brought on board two weeks before opening.
Useful Links
Industry Opportunities
- Kid to Kid Franchise Opportunity
- Once Upon a Child Franchise Opportunity
- Juvenile Products Manufacturers Association