Sportgeschäft: How to open a sports shop in Germany

Contents

• Introduction
• Opening a sports shop as a GmbH
• Opening a sports shop as a UG (haftungsbeschränkt)
• Opening a sports shop as an Einzelunternehmen
• Opening a sports shop as a GbR
• Registering your sports shop
  • Registering your business
  • Commercial registry
  • IHK
  • Employer’s liability insurance associations
  • Federal associations
• Expertise
• Business plan
• Sporting goods franchises
• Checklist for retail businesses
• Want to know more about opening a business?

Introduction

There are many ways to go about becoming self-employed by opening a sports shop. In general, you can start from scratch with a new concept or opt for a tried-and-tested business system by opening a branch of an existing franchise. If you choose to open a new business, you should ask yourself if it would be best to offer a broad range of products, from sportswear to bicycles to ski equipment, or if you’d like to specialise in one or more types of sports. If you decide to enter into a franchise, you’ll need to take additional steps when establishing your business. This guide will take you from your idea all the way to a business plan.

What legal company form best suits my sports shop idea?

Before you become self-employed in the retail industry, you must first decide what legal company form is best for your business model. Company forms don’t only differ in terms of liability and share capital – they are taxed differently as well. You should, therefore, choose a legal form carefully, especially since you could be required to invest much of your own private equity, depending on which form you select.

Opening a sports shop as a GmbH

To form a GmbH, you need €25,000 in share capital.

Advantage: Since GmbHs are highly regarded both within Germany and abroad, you’ll be able to enjoy certain advantages as a founder when it comes to banks and lenders.

Liability: A GmbH is a type of limited liability company – only the company’s assets are at risk.

Opening a sports shop as a UG (haftungsbeschränkt)

A UG is a special type of GmbH and is well suited for founders with limited capital who still wish to form a company with limited liability.

Advantage: You can form a UG with a small amount of share capital – just €1 (one euro) is enough to get started.

Liability: Like a GmbH, only a UG’s business assets are at risk.

Opening a sports shop as an Einzelunternehmen (sole proprietorship)

Establishing a sole proprietorship is relatively easy and exempts you from the obligation to maintain a balance sheet.

Advantage: You aren’t required to make a capital contribution to establish a sole proprietorship.

Liability: As a sole proprietor, your personal assets are at risk.

Opening a sports shop as a GbR

Setting up a GbR is a great option for entrepreneurs looking to open a sports shop without investing a lot of capital or dealing with a lot of bureaucracy.

Advantage: You don’t need share capital or a notary to establish a GbR.

Liability: As a founder of a GbR, your personal assets are at risk.

Registering your sports shop

Registering your business

No matter which legal company form you choose, you are required to register your retail business in the commercial registry. Your local trade office will automatically notify the appropriate IHK (chamber of industry and commerce) and the Finanzamt (tax office). Afterwards, you’ll receive correspondence from your tax office regarding tax registration.

Get educated about business registration in Germany:

• Registering your GbR: An overview of the Gewerbeanmeldung process
•  Registering a GmbH or UG: Here’s how!

Entering your sports shop in the Handelsregister (commercial registry)

If you decide to form a GmbH or UG, you are required to enter your company in the Handelsregister (commercial registry). The same holds true even if you decide to proceed as an Einzelunternehmer (sole proprietor) or eingetragener Kaufmann (registered merchant).

IHK (chamber of industry and commerce)

Once you register at your local Gewerbeamt (trade office), they will inform the IHK, of your new business. The IHK will contact you automatically. A membership with the IHK is mandatory.

Berufsgenossenschaften (employer’s liability insurance associations)

As carriers of German statutory accident insurance, Berufsgenossenschaften are responsible for you and your employees. A membership with the appropriate trade insurance institution is mandatory. The BGHW or Berufsgenossenschaft für Handel und Warenlogistik (employer’s liability insurance association for the trade and logistics industry) is responsible for retail businesses.

Federal associations for sports retailers

Memberships in any relevant Bundesverbände (federal associations) are optional but recommended. Federal associations, such as the Verband Deutscher Sportfachhandel e.V. (German sports retailers’ association), advocate for your interests and those of your industry.

Expertise: What should I know before opening a sports shop?

You don’t need any professional qualifications to open your own sports shop. However, it is recommended to undergo Ausbildung (training) in the retail field. You should also possess plenty of business knowledge so that you can realise your business plan. If you don’t have either, it would be advisable to wait until you have several years of retail experience, ideally in a management position. It would also be wise to attend a founders’ seminar, which the IHK offers regularly. If you want to be able to provide your customers with competent advice based on practical experience, sports should be your hobby and your passion.

What should the business plan for my sports shop include?

A professional business plan is required for any founder of a new business. In the retail industry, you will most likely have to rely on investors whose support is essential for opening a business in the first place. To gain their support, you’ll have to be able to win them over with a well-thought-out business plan and business concept. The same goes for franchisors. If your business plan is unconvincing, you will most likely be rejected as a franchisee. You should, therefore, be prepared to put plenty of time and effort into your business plan.

Your business plan should include the following points:

• Market analysis, location analysis, target demographic: Take a close look at the market and competition around your preferred location. Is the market already saturated? Are there established sports shops in the area already? Who do I want to target as potential customers? What does my target demographic look like? Is my target location easily accessible for my target demographic and for passing customers?
• Product range, additional offers, marketing: Consider what products you’d like to offer and if you’d rather specialise or take advantage of the entire sports spectrum. You should also think about additional offers. What customer retention strategies would you like to implement? How will you advertise your sports shop? How much of your budget are you going to dedicate to marketing?

Sporting goods franchises

Franchising is also an interesting option for opening a business in the sporting goods retail industry. As franchisors, companies like Intersport or Sport 2000 offer founders a tried-and-tested business model with a proven strategy for successful branch establishment. As a franchisee, you would receive support during and after the opening of your branch. For more information, take a look at our guide on establishing a franchise business.

Checklist for retail entrepreneurs

Our guide to opening a business contains important questions for entrepreneurs to consider, information on qualifications, notes on the legal framework governing retail businesses and a look at the future of the industry.

Want to know more about opening a business in Germany?

The Ultimate Guide to Starting a Business in Germany

1. Do I have the right residence permit to start a business?
2. What legal form is right for me? 
3. Getting ready to start a business
4. How to set up a business
5. Taking your first steps as an entrepreneur

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