The Philippines is a rice-eating country so selling the staple makes a lot of sense. However, before you can start opening the first store and making a profit, you need a sound rice retailing business plan. Don’t let the idea scares you as with a capital as low as PHP 80,000 and the high demand for rice, you can totally have your own store and make ends meet with it. 

To help you becoming a rice vendor, here Corner4men will give you five tips to start with: 

Swot Analysis Of Rice Retailing Business

Strength

The location should be taken into consideration when you start making your rice retailing business plan. Convenience counts when you sell rice so choose a place that is near where people live or work.  Remember to offer a wide range of payment options for your customers. 

Weakness

As a new rice vendor, the lack of experience and capital are the two biggest hurdles you will have to overcome. 

Opportunities

Choosing a prime location provides you with the opportunity to sell to a large number of customers, individuals as well as businesses. 

Threat

A major threat you should consider when you make your rice retailing business plan is an economic downturn that can negatively affect spending power. Competition is another factor you should think about. 

If you want safety and certainty for your business, a lugaw franchise is a good idea to consider.

Get An NFA License 

When you have a plan, the next step is to get an NFA license to be able to do a rice retailing business in the Philippines. Visit the nearest office of the NFA that exercises jurisdiction over the location of your future rice business. You will have to submit an application form and pay a small amount fee of PHP 100. The license fee will depend on the scale of your capital and after you pay, you will get a receipt. 

NFA investigators will inspect your facility and equipment. After getting the approval, you will need to come back to the NFA office bringing the official receipt, proof of compliance with deficiencies, and notice of inspection. 

After getting the NFA license, you need to register the business. If yours is a single proprietorship business, visit the Department of Trade and Industry, while corporation and partnership have to be registered with the Securities and Exchange Commissions. 

Buy Proper Equipment

You need proper equipment before you can start selling and this should be in your rice retailing business plan. The must-haves are price tags, a calibrated weighing scale, and white rice boxes. 

Some other requirements are variety, grade, and classification of the rice. Last but not least, you need a 45x75 cm signboard with the business name, the terms ‘Wholesaler,’ or ‘Licensed Grains Retailer,’ and NFA control number. 

Choose A Location For Your Business 

Where your store locates matters and you should choose a place with heavy vehicle and foot traffic. Knowing the habits of those who usually buy rice at the location is important too. 

Build Proper Storage For Your Merchandise 

One of the most significant disadvantages of selling rice is that the merchandise spoils quickly and easily. In just three months, the quality of rice will deteriorates so you should take note in your rice retailing business plan that the first-in, first-out method is the way to go. 

Rice-eating bugs and insects are your enemy so keep an eye on them. Keep the storage clean and free of them. You can also ask your rice suppliers about how to avoid them. 

Maintain Good Relationships With Your Suppliers And Customers 

Maintain good relationships with your suppliers as you can get referrals or even discount from them. Customers move a wide range of choices because they like to think that they have options at hand. 

Individual and corporate customers are equally important. For the latter, discounts go a long way in keeping them loyal to you. 

Your rice retailing business plan should have a section dedicated for this as gaining a new customer is way harder than keeping one coming back.