Q: I am planning to open a grocery shop. What are the licenses and permits I need to apply?
Having valid business licenses and permits is mandatory to open a grocery shop in Malaysia. These licenses must be applied from Pihak Berkuasa Melesen (PBM) relevant to the location and business activity.
Licenses and Permits You Need to Open A Grocery Shop in Malaysia
Business owners are responsible to apply for relevant licenses and permits before they can legally start operating. Failing to have valid licenses and permits is an offence and may jeopardize your business!
Hence, there are a few licenses and permits you need to apply before you can open a grocery shop.
In general, there are 3 categories of licenses which are:
- General licenses
- Sector/Industry-specific licenses
- Activity specific licenses
| Specifically, business owners who are planning to open a grocery shop in Malaysia will be required to apply for licenses and permits under the general licenses and sector/industry specific licenses. |
General licenses
General licenses are those required when registering as a business in Malaysia. Those include company registration and business premise license, and signboard license.
Just like any other business, you must register your company with Suruhanjaya Syarikat Malaysia (SSM). It is mandatory for all businesses to be registered under SSM to be considered as legal entities in Malaysia.
Apart from that, if you are going to operate your shop from a business premise, you must apply for the business premise license. The license can be applied from your local town council.
On top of that, if you intend to display a signboard on your premises, you must also apply for the signboard license. Depending on your town council, you may need to apply for both licences at the same time.
Sector/industry-specific licenses
Sector/industry-specific license refers to a license for a specific sector or industry. This type of license is usually issued by the government ministries such as the Ministry Of Entrepreneur Development (MED) through BLESS.
BLESS is an online system to apply for licenses and permits related to business in Malaysia.
Thus, to open a grocery shop, you need to apply for some specific licenses and permits especially if you intend to sell scheduled controlled goods.
Here is the list of scheduled controlled goods:
| Sugar | Wheat Flour | Cooking Oil | Chemical Compost |
| Kerosene | Petrol, motor spirit from all grades | Diesel Fuel | Soft Steel Round Bar |
| Cement | Liquid Petroleum Gas | Bread | Chicken |
The permits to sell the goods can be applied through BLESS. You will need to provide related documents to proceed with your applications.
In the case of rice, you may apply for a retail license on the e-license portal (ELPPB) by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industries.
Marketing Plan for Your Grocery Shop with Foodipedia
Opening a grocery shop legally in Malaysia is a part of your business strategy. Another part is to ensure that your grocery shop has continuous success with an effective marketing plan.
Hence, to attract more customers and stand out from your competitors, here are some marketing tips you can do:
Social media outreach
Because your customers are likely to spend a significant amount of time online each week, you should consider utilising social media marketing.
Social media posts may appear insignificant, but small, daily reminders of your products and offerings are an excellent way to stay in the minds of your customers.
In other words, social media is a low-cost and simple way to advertise special deals and upcoming events.
Website Design
Having a website is essential to stay competitive. The majority of customers will expect to be able to find your company on the internet.
Whether you want to sell your products online or simply provide information about your company and contact information, having a website with outstanding design will definitely help your business thrive.
Print marketing materials
Marketing materials include any items for communicating your marketing to customers. In print marketing, this includes business cards, brochures, catalogues, signs and banners.
| Foodipedia can help you design effective marketing materials for your grocery shop at an affordable price. On top of that, we can also help with your social media campaigns. Need a compelling website design? Look no further! We can help you with that too. |
So, just reach out to us to see how we can help you and your business!
Suggested read: Tips Berkesan Untuk Jual Produk Sejuk Beku Online
DISCLAIMER
This article is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional advice. Although we strive to provide accurate general information, the information presented here is not a substitute for any kind of professional advice, and you should not rely solely on this information. Please opt for a one-to-one consultation with us or a relevant professional for your specific concerns regarding food business solutions in Malaysia before making any decisions.
