Starting A Comic Book Store

Comic book shops offer comic books as well as associated merchandise such as action figures, models, posters, and other items. These comic book stores vary from bigger retail bookshops in that they provide a more diverse and exclusive range of comic books, as well as unique memorabilia. The communal business approach of comic book businesses is typically what distinguishes them. Customers explore, interact, and lounge about comic book shops, always expecting to discover that one-of-a-kind item that would round out their collection.

Follow these ten steps to open a comic book store:

Make a plan for your Comic Book Store.

Create a legal entity for your comic book store.

Fill out a tax registration form for your comic book store.

Create a Business Bank Account and a Credit Card

Create an accounting system for your comic book store.

Get the Permits and Licenses You Need for Your Comic Book Store

Purchase Comic Book Store Insurance

Create a Comic Book Store Brand

Create a website for your comic book store.

Configure your Business Phone System

Starting a company entails more than just registering it with the state. We’ve put together an easy-to-follow guide on launching your own comic book shop. These stages will guarantee that your new company is well-planned, correctly registered, and legally compliant.

STEP 1: Make a business plan.

A well-thought-out strategy is vital for entrepreneur success. It will assist you in mapping out the intricacies of your organisation and uncovering some unknowns. Consider the following crucial topics:

What are the initial and continuing expenses?

Who is your intended audience?

How much money may you charge your customers?

Fortunately, we have done a lot of the legwork for you.

What are the expenses of starting a comic book store?

The two most important expenditures associated with starting a comic book business are the price of setting up your physical location and the costs of purchasing your first comic book inventory.

If you lease a retail site, you will almost certainly be required to pay a lease deposit. You will also need display racks, which cost about $300 apiece. Make sure the shop space is tiny and the rent is low, but also, if feasible, locate the store in a suitable neighbourhood with strong foot traffic.

A 100′ by 15′ spot (150 square feet) in a high traffic location, for example, may cost roughly $450 per month. That is all you need to display your most prized possessions to your consumers. You may also utilise a computer to display a database of your whole collection, allowing clients to search to see whether you have the books they need. If you want to sell your books online, you may utilise the same database on your website.

You will need to invest in inventory if you do not already have a large collection of comic books to sell. Having a good inventory selection may need an initial expenditure of $10,000 to $25,000 to get started.

What are the recurring costs of running a comic book store?

Labor (if you have staff), rent, and the cost of power for the lights, as well as an internet connection and shipping (for physical comics) if you sell online. Other costs include buying new comics, figurines, and other related products.

Who is the intended audience?

Serious ollectors are the backbone of this industry. Customers who desire a rare comic book that is incredibly difficult to locate are good, and those who have more than one sort of collection are exceptional. Customers with disposable money might pay high prices for items they value. These are excellent clients for this company. You go looking for them, and they give you significant money to complete their collection of comic books.

Although the client categories listed above are the greatest for the company, the less devoted customer or casual fan should not be overlooked. These are clients who may just want to buy new comics, models, or make one-time purchases. Appealing to both die-hard and casual followers will increase the success of your store.

What is the business model of a comic book store?

A comic book shop generates money by buying and reselling comic books for a profit. Being a successful trader is essential in this company. You must understand the fair market value of rare comic books and purchase them for less than the usual rate in order to resale them for a profit.

A comic book shop may also earn money by selling online. There are two alternatives to the typical brick-and-mortar retail business model:

Physical comic book sales are available online.

Digital comic book sales are available online.

These business concepts may be more feasible for people without the cash to build a physical site and/or may be an extra company that enhances income when combined with a physical location.

How much money may you charge your customers?

In retail pricing, the rule of thumb is to apply a 30% to 40% markup on cost. If you buy a collectable comic book for $10, you should sell it for $13 or $14. Remember that the market is the most important factor in deciding pricing. The most costly comics are the rarest, however freshly published comics may also command a somewhat high price owing to their timely nature. Models and figures are priced equally.

Furthermore, there is often a negotiation system in place at comic stores, and buyers may expect to be able to haggle for pricing. It is entirely up to you whether or not to have established pricing.

What kind of profit can a comic book shop make?

To suggest you’ll become wealthy in this industry is an exaggeration. The goal is to generate enough money to cover the rent and keep the shop running until you locate a treasure at a low price that you can sell for a large profit.

How can you increase the profitability of your company?

Aside from selling actual objects in-store, you can also purchase and sell online, and you may list your most expensive pieces in online auctions with a minimum bid to optimise your income. Another approach to generate additional money is to bring your finest work to comic book conventions and rent a booth to sell products there. Another business idea would be to offer actual comic books online that you have self-published. You could wish to sell digital comics for devices like the Kindle, Android, and the Internet through services like ComiXology.

You may also sell video games and gaming equipment as a secondary company. Because successful comic book shops become hangouts for collectors, there is a chance for additional income via things like paid-entry for in-store gaming tournaments or paid raffle entries to win rare comics.

STEP 2: Establish a legal entity

Sole proprietorship, partnership, limited liability company (LLC), and corporation are the most frequent business structure forms.

If your comic book shop is sued, becoming a legitimate business organisation, such as an LLC or corporation, prevents you from being held personally accountable.

STEP 3: File your taxes

Before you can begin for business, you must register for a number of state and federal taxes.

To register for taxes, you will need to get an EIN. It’s really simple and completely free!

Taxes on Small Businesses

Depending on the business form you choose, you may have multiple choices for how your company is taxed. Some LLCs, for example, may benefit from being taxed as a S company (S corp).

These guides will teach you more about small company taxes:

Taxes on LLCs

LLC vs. sole proprietorship

Corporation vs. LLC

S Corp vs. LLC

How to Form a S Corporation

S Corporation vs. C Corporation

There may be state taxes that apply to your company. In our state sales tax guides, you may learn more about state sales taxes and franchise taxes.

STEP 4: Establish a company bank account and credit card

Personal asset protection requires the use of distinct business banking and credit accounts.

When you combine your personal and business accounts, your personal assets (your house, vehicle, and other possessions) are at danger if your company is sued. This is known as penetrating your company veil in business law.

Furthermore, understanding how to develop corporate credit may help you get credit cards and other financing in your company’s name (rather than your own), lower interest rates, larger lines of credit, and other benefits.

Establish a business bank account.

Opening a business bank account is not only required when asking for business financing, but it also:

Separates your personal assets from the assets of your firm, which is required for personal asset protection.

It simplifies bookkeeping and tax reporting.

Create a net 30 account.

Net 30 accounts are used to develop and grow company credit while also increasing cash flow. Businesses use a net 30 account to purchase items and refund the whole debt within a 30-day period.

Many net 30 credit suppliers submit information to the main business credit agencies (Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business Credit). This is how firms establish business credit in order to get approved for credit cards and other lines of credit.

Apply for a business credit card.

Obtaining a business credit card benefits you in the following ways:

Put all of your company’s costs in one location to separate personal and business spending.

Build your company’s credit history, which will be important for raising funds in the future.

STEP 5: Establish business accounting

Recording your numerous costs and sources of revenue is crucial to assessing your company’s financial status. Keeping precise and thorough accounting also makes yearly tax filing much easier.

STEP 6: Obtain all required permissions and licences

Failure to get appropriate permissions and licences may result in significant penalties or possibly the closure of your firm.

Requirements for State and Local Business Licensing

To start a comic book shop, certain state permissions and licences may be required. Visit the SBA’s reference to state licences and permits to learn more about licencing requirements in your state.

Comic book businesses may also want to consider filing for a resale certificate, which permits merchants to buy products for resale without paying sales tax.

Furthermore, local licencing or regulatory restrictions may apply. For further information, please visit:

Check with the clerk’s office in your town, city, or county.

Contact one of the local organisations mentioned in the US Small Business Associations database of local business resources for help.

Licensing of Music

Comic book shops, like many other kinds of retail companies, often play music via a sound system for their customers. Permission from the composer or licence holder is required to play music in a commercial environment. Typically, a “blanket” licence permitting a company to play music held by a vast library of artists and recording studios is available. Performance Rights Organizations, such as ASCAP or BMI, may provide such rights.

Learn more about the regulations for music licencing.

Occupancy Certificate

In most cases, it is the landlord’s obligation to get a CO.

Before leasing, ensure that your landlord has or can receive a valid CO for a comic book business.

A new CO is often required after a big remodelling. If your location will be refurbished before opening, incorporate wording in your leasing agreement saying that lease payments would not begin until a valid CO is given.

If you intend to buy or create a location:

It is your responsibility to secure a valid CO from a local government entity.

Examine all building rules and zoning standards for your business’s location to verify compliance and the ability to acquire a CO.

STEP 7: Obtain commercial insurance.

Insurance, like licences and permits, is required for your company to operate safely and legally. In the case of a covered loss, business insurance protects your company’s financial well-being.

There are several sorts of insurance plans designed for various types of companies with varying risks. If you are unaware about the hazards that your company may encounter, start with General Liability Insurance. This is the most popular coverage required by small companies, so it’s a good place to start for yours.

Workers’ Compensation Insurance is another important insurance product that many companies need. If your company will have workers, your state may require you to purchase Workers’ Compensation insurance.

STEP 8: Establish your brand

Your company’s brand is what it stands for, as well as how the public perceives it. A strong brand will help your company stand out from the crowd.

How to Market and Promote a Comic Book Store

Larger retail bookshops may provide new comic books and associated merchandise at a reduced price. To differentiate yourself as a smaller comic book business, you must provide items that are not available in bigger stores. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways, including hosting unique comic book signings by the authors, hosting giveaways/raffles, and selling uncommon goods that buyers can only find in your shop.

Opening this sort of company requires thorough analysis of the target market’s demographics. It is critical to open in an area with a highly visible storefront and a younger demographic with discretionary means. To entice people to stop by the business, it should be located in an area with a high volume of foot traffic.

How to Keep Customers Returning

You must cultivate your consumers’ curiosity in locating the uncommon products that they want. This is the excitement of the treasure hunt that you will want to foster. Customers should fill up a profile of what they enjoy and mention the uncommon products that they can’t locate so that you may go out and get these valued items for them.

Casual fans are more difficult to recruit, yet they are critical to the store’s success. Consider showing comics relating to recent blockbuster movies or video games to encourage these clients. Keeping up with popular culture might help you profit on the market.

STEP 9: Create your company’s website.

After you’ve defined your brand and designed your logo, the next step is to build a website for your company.

While developing a website is an important step, some may be concerned that it is out of their grasp due to a lack of website-building skills. While this was a fair concern in 2015, online technology has made significant advances in recent years, making the lives of small company owners considerably easier.

The following are the primary reasons why you should not put off developing your website:

Every genuine company has a website, period. When it comes to bringing your company online, it doesn’t matter what size or sector it is.

Social media accounts, such as Facebook pages or LinkedIn company profiles, are not a substitute for your own business website.

STEP 10: Install your company phone system.

Getting a phone for your company is one of the finest methods to keep your personal and professional lives distinct and private. That isn’t the only advantage; it also helps you automate your company, provides it legitimacy, and makes it simpler for prospective clients to identify and contact you.