1 . How much will it cost me to open a Water Store?
A. The average cost of opening a water store is $50,000. This includes all necessary equipment and merchandise. This price will vary depending upon leasing rates and tenant improvements.

2 . How great is the demand for clean drinking water?
A. According to the International Bottled Water Association (IBWA), Americans consumed some 2.7 billion gallons of bottled water in 1995. Approximately 1 in 4 households in Southern California use bottled water as their source of drinking water, and the number is growing.

3. Why do people buy water at Water Stores?
A. Price, quality, convenience, and consistency all play major roles, but the most important factor is trust in the product. People have become very skeptical of the water being delivered to their homes or business, or the water they purchase from vending machines or grocery stores, not to mention tap water.

4 . What type of location and size?
A. Supermarkets and shopping centers that people use. Strip centers with good visibility and parking. Avoid shopping centers that people only use once a month (Target, K-Mart, Costco, etc.). Store size should be about 1,000 square feet. Middle class centers work very well. Stay away from high income areas. High density areas (apartments) work best. Close, adequate parking is essential.

5 . Should I open a franchise Water Store?
A. There are several franchises for Water Stores. They charge a franchise fee and a percentage of sales. So, if your store is doing $12,000.00 per month with operating expenses of $7,000.00, $1,200.00 would be 25% of your profit... a lot of money. Some franchises also determine what product you can and cannot sell. Start up cost for franchised store’s average over $100,000.00.

6. What type and how many employees do I need?
A. Friendly, part-time employees that can work flexible hours. As part-time help you do not need to provide benefits.

7. Where do I get my suppliers and inventory?
A. We will furnish you with a list of supplies for all you needs (bottles, coolers, crocks, etc.).

8. What about training?
A. WB USA will train you on how to operate and maintain your equipment.

9. Is financing available?
A. Yes. Lease financing is available for equipment and leasehold improvement, however, not available for inventory or working capital, etc.

10. What type of maintenance is needed for equipment?
A. Less than one hour per week, at most, with the cost being about $50.00 per month and a once-a-year cleaning of the R.O. membrane.

11. What other products might I sell?
A. Bottles, coolers, crocks, ice and water filter equipment is standard inventory. Other items such as snacks, air purification equipment and emergency (earthquake kits) would also sell well.

12. Water Stores are new to my area. How can I tell if they will do well?
A. Many different factors make a Water Store successful. Survey your area to find out where people are buying their water now. Outside water vending machines in front of supermarkets are an excellent sign that your market is ready for a Water Store. This is just one factor of many that we look for.

download brochures, ziped PDF 2.08MB
download Water Purification Equipment pricelist. doc 30KB

Download Guidelines to Opening a Water Store. doc 38KB
Water Store - A Business Opportunity with Unlimited Potential. doc 68KB