Any helpful advice for opening small business in Mexico City?

Question

I am interested in opening a small business, like a general store with groceries, snacks, beverages, serve hot food. etc. Maybe a computer to charge for internet use. Some magazines, etc. I speak basic Spanish. My husband is Mexican and has lived in Mexico City most of his life.

We will save money in U.S., then open the business in Mexico. Any suggestions on how to research this, how much money I need to open this? Any suggestions on what I should sell? Anyone have experience with this? Thanks.

Answer 1

Be patient. That's the best advise I can give you... Opening a business in Mexico is very hard because of all of the permits you need and burocracy. If you've lived in Mexico, you'll understand what I'm talking about. Look for a "local" and go to its Delegación (Benito Juarez, Iztacalco, Miguel Hidalgo, etc.) and ask about what you need to do.

Answer 2

the other guy is very correct in his ideas, also things to remember is that you find out about taxes., Make sure you talk to someone who has a current business and find out who legitamatley can come to your store and collect money from you.

Also it is hard to get the permits at the start and you have to have a place that will not mind having the electricity and the water jump in cost for business use even if there is not water on the place. I am in almost a identicle situation as you but own property there and my wife is english. That is what we were told.

Answer 3

You will have "mucha competencia" in whatever you retail anywhere in Mexico.

Internet cafes are popular but should be set up so they have no access to control panels.

Location , like anywhere is important. Near schools or "Zocalos"

I read a few years back that half of Mexicos population was under 20 years of age.

Many of these "Jovenes" can not buy a computer and wouldn't like missing out on the "Craze"

There are nearly 10 in and around the Zocalo in Acapulco and you cant get in some of the time . Line ups in the evening.

C.F.E.sting you pretty good here. Set your power savers for short periods.

Laundromats are another good thing.

Tiendas have fierce competition and the fridges will eat up the commercial hydro which is much higher than for "Casa Particulares"

A friend of mine has a two bed house here with his wife and his hydro bill for one year is $70.00 and the water $60.00.

DO YOUR RESEARCH ON THE HYDRO .

If a store across the street charges 2 pesos less , that is where most of the biz goes.

Mexican kids are no different that anywhere else and enjoy showing off their capabilities"Changing Backgrounds" and seem to enjoy the challenges a  computer can offer

Internet shop  ---- Thumbs up

Answer 4

Im gonna write this in spanish cause i dunno the correct terms in english.

Tienen que checar el uso de suelo del lugar en donde quieren abrir la tienda, dar de alta como REPECO o actividad empresarial, visto bueno de proteccion civil y dar el aviso de apertura de establecimiento.

Tal vez les convenga contratar a un abogado para hacer todo esto que en realidad no debe llevar mucho tiempo y no es caro. Si les sirve yo tengo el contacto de un abogado en el DF.

Answer 5

Since there is a little mom&pop grocery on every block of most cities in Mexico .... just go in and take a look at the others.  The Coke and beer distributors will give you coolers.  Sanditas will give you racks for chips.  You'll need fruit, veggies and dairy if you want to be a one-stop

The main issue will be location-location-location and a decent landlord if you can't buy