How do I find an Indian grocery store for sale?

Indian and South Asian grocery stores change hands in a few different ways. Some are listed publicly, some go through a broker and many are sold by word of mouth to someone the owner already trusts. A buyer who works all three routes at once will see more stores than one who only watches the listing sites.

Listing sites and brokers

Start with business-for-sale listing sites and set an alert for grocery, South Asian grocery and food retail. Brokers who handle food businesses often hear about stores before they are posted, so introduce yourself and say what you are looking for. Be ready to explain your budget and your experience. Listings are a summary, so treat every figure as a prompt for your own questions.

Community networks and suppliers

Owners of these stores usually know their importers and distributors well, and those suppliers know which owners are thinking about retiring. Introduce yourself to them and to community associations in the area you want. Tell people honestly that you are a buyer. A quiet conversation can lead to a store that is not listed anywhere.

What to ask from the first listing

Ask why the owner is selling, how long they have run the store and whether the lease can be assigned to a buyer. Ask what is included: stock, equipment, any bakery or hot food counter and supplier arrangements. Our guide to buying a grocery store in Canada lists the records to request once you are serious.

Narrowing the search

Decide early how large a store you can run and how close you need to be. Visit a few as an ordinary shopper first. Notice the stock, the staff, the customers and how busy the store is at different hours. Then compare what you saw with what the owner tells you.