* Calculations use average data for Russia

50 000 - 70 000 ₽

Starting investments (100-200 trees)

100 000 - 120 000 ₽

50 000 ₽

Net profit

80-100%

One of the most popular ways to make money on New Year's Eve is to sell Christmas trees. However, if you think that it is enough to buy Christmas trees in bulk and bring them to the point of sale by car, then you are mistaken.

On the eve of the New Year, many are concerned about the question of how to make money on this festive hype. The logic is this: since on New Year's Eve people empty the shelves of stores, it is enough just to display the goods - and enjoy 100% sales. This is how many entrepreneurs think and often decide to sell Christmas trees. After all, organizing this type of sale is quite simple: you can do without obtaining permits and even without renting a retail space, because Christmas trees are sold on the street.

In fact, business seems simple until you rush into it recklessly. It is not enough just to buy Christmas trees in bulk and bring them by car to the point of sale. Business has its own subtleties and nuances. You need to figure out which types of trees to sell, who will be the target audience and how to calculate the volume of purchases. Indeed, in the case of large product balances, they will not be able to be sold later - does anyone need a Christmas tree after the holidays?

Therefore, if you decide to make money on the sale of Christmas trees, do not rush to buy goods. Assess your capabilities, market conditions, plan income and expenses, estimate how profitable this business will be. To guide you through the deceptive Christmas tree business, we have prepared a step-by-step guide. The path from an idea to a profit is much longer than the path from a nursery to a retail outlet. Let's get into the nuances.

1. Registration

You can't sell trees without a permit. We start with business registration. We carry out the standard procedure for registering individual entrepreneurs, as the OKVED code we select 47.7 - Trade in retail other goods in specialized stores.

What documents are needed?

The seller of Christmas trees must have the following documents:

TTN (consignment note);

quarantine certificate;

phytopassport with a holographic sticker.

In addition, you must obtain a trade permit. Depending on the location of your outlet, the authority that issues the permit also changes. For example, if you are going to trade in a municipal market, then permission should be obtained from the market administration. And if you are planning a retail outlet in an arbitrary location, then you will need permission from the city administration.

2. Choosing a place for selling Christmas trees

You need to decide on the place of trade in parallel with how you draw up an IP. Because it will take some time to get permission. And for a seasonal business, time is money.

Most often, the sale of Christmas trees takes place within the framework of the Christmas tree market. It starts working from mid-December and is located on sites in passing places: at intersections, next to bus stops. Typically, such places are assigned to one tenant - and it will not be easy to take such a "fish place". Another option is to rent space near an existing store, a shopping pavilion, in a shopping center parking lot. In fact, you will need a retail space for a maximum of 3 weeks.

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An important nuance: choose the most favorable rental conditions. Because large cash outlays can greatly reduce your income. It is quite difficult to name the rental price, it depends on many factors: the city, the specific place, the retail area, etc. The difference in amounts can be huge.

Keep in mind that demand at Christmas markets is limited and not every visitor will buy Christmas trees from you. Why?

First, there are a lot of markets. People are ready to visit several Christmas tree markets to buy at the lowest price. Secondly, the Christmas tree can be bought in large hypermarket chains. Thirdly, Christmas trees can be ordered with delivery - and this is much more convenient than looking for a Christmas tree in the market. Fourth, more and more people prefer an artificial Christmas tree. Fifthly, not everyone puts up a Christmas tree for the New Year.

What do we get as a result? Out of a thousand people, few will be interested in Christmas trees, and of those who are interested, only 50% make a purchase. The maximum demand is observed on the last Sunday before the New Year, and by December 31 it drops to almost zero. On New Year's Eve, Christmas trees can only be sold for a penny.

There are certain requirements for the street sale of Christmas trees, set out in the orders of the trade department of the city administration. These are usually the following requirements:

The seller must have all documents available. This is a trade permit, an agreement with a supplier, an act of acceptance and transfer.

There should be a sign "Christmas Bazaar", a sign with the name of your individual entrepreneur and a contact phone number.

You must specify prices - exact or marked "from".

You can arrange a trading place. For example, decorate with a street garland or New Year's figurines. This will attract the attention of passers-by.

The seller must have a saw, a tape measure, a fire extinguisher (if firefighters come to check), packing material (a rope is suitable, which is needed for tying trees).

It is not necessary to fence the trading place, but it is better to clarify this point with the administration.

3. Purchase of goods

If you decide to sell Christmas trees, then you definitely need to find a reliable partner from whom you will purchase goods. The search for potential suppliers should begin in advance in order to select the most profitable option. Felling in the forestry is allowed from December 1.

The most common types of Christmas tree suppliers:

Forestries. Most often, Christmas trees are bought in forestries. They are in almost every region. Remember a simple pattern: the farther from the city, the lower the prices and the better the goods. The minimum lot size in the forestry is 100 trees. Payment terms can be different: 100% advance payment or splitting the amount into 2 parts: one is paid when signing the contract, the other - when the goods are shipped.

Farms. Here you can buy small quantities of goods.

Wholesalers. You can buy goods from intermediaries. Such a scheme increases the purchase price of Christmas trees, but frees the entrepreneur from all the worries associated with finding a supplier and transporting goods. Keep in mind that your markup on the product will be small.

The normal markup for one Christmas tree is 80-100%. This means that having purchased goods for 60 thousand rubles, you can count on revenue of 120 thousand rubles if you sell all the goods.

The minimum order starts from 100 pieces, and their cost depends on the country in which they are purchased. Russian pines cost 100-150 rubles apiece. Spruces come out more expensive. Trees grown abroad cost significantly more. Most often, spruces are bought from Denmark, Canada, Estonia. But the prices for such trees are more expensive, and not everyone can buy them.

Ready-made ideas for your business

Sometimes entrepreneurs are mistaken, believing that the sale of a more expensive product will make more money. But this rule does not always work. So be sure to consider the solvency of customers before purchasing an expensive product.

4. Tree storage

Decide the storage issue in advance. The product is quite large and needs a lot of space for storage. Even when choosing a place of trade, you need to pay attention to whether there is an area for organizing a warehouse. You can sit next to the market and negotiate with local security. Or store Christmas trees in the parking lot of the shopping center, guarded parking lot. If this is not possible, then it is necessary to independently organize a protected area.

This problem is much easier to solve if you sell Christmas trees from a car. The goods will be stored inside the truck. But then consider the cost of renting a car.

5. The subtleties of the Christmas tree trade

Selling Christmas trees is a short seasonal business. Therefore, you should use as many opportunities as possible to sell the product. The most common problem in this business is large remnants of products that cannot be sold after the New Year holidays.

What can you think of to increase sales:

Provide a Christmas tree delivery service. For many, this will be a convenient option. And if you also offer to immediately purchase a Christmas tree stand, deliver the Christmas tree to your home and put it up, then you will be able to attract a large number of buyers. These services need to be advertised. Place an ad on websites and social networks, offer services when buying at a Christmas tree bazaar. Advertisements in elevators and flyers in mailboxes can work.

Earn on fir and spruce branches. Usually the lower branches of trees are cut off during installation. These branches can be sold separately. Fir branches are bought for baths and decorations. Spruce branches can be sold to flower shops that make Christmas wreaths. If you wish, you can find buyers and make extra money on Christmas trees.

Sell ​​related products. Christmas decorations, garlands, decorative elements (for example, skirts under the Christmas tree). Garlands can be purchased at wholesale bases or Chinese sites. Interesting items of New Year's decor can be found there or purchased from needlewomen. The sale of such goods increases the average bill several times.

Prodazh fir trees from the car. You can not be tied to one place, but move to cover as many audiences as possible. But keep in mind that if you have received a permit for street trading in a particular place, then moving from place to place will be considered a violation. And you can be fined. Therefore, decide in advance which trading format is best for your conditions.

Be prepared for the fact that you will not have time to sell all the goods. Then you have to decide what to do with the unsold Christmas trees?

sell trees to a wood processing company and earn money;

give to churches for Christmas;

give it to the zoo. Green needles are fed to animals and birds, and dry needles are used as bedding for them;

make bath brooms out of them and sell them.

So entrepreneurial savvy will help make money on Christmas trees even after the season.

6. Advertising Christmas trees

When selling Christmas trees, there is no need for an advertising campaign, since before the New Year the demand for this product is quite high. It is important to choose the right place, which in itself is already the engine of trade. Be sure to put up a sign. Decorate it with illumination to attract additional attention.

If you plan to deliver Christmas trees to your home, you will have to connect additional promotional tools. We have already talked about them above.

7. Nuances of pricing

Christmas trees are a unique product also because their price fluctuates depending on the date. Christmas trees will start selling on December 15th. Wholesalers are active at this time, so the prices are democratic. From December 20 to December 25, retail trade is more active and prices may vary significantly. This is a period of peak prices, but retail sales may not go as well as we would like. The main sale takes place after December 25, at the same time prices begin to fall, down to the cost price. By December 31, demand dries up, and Christmas trees are no longer sold even for a penny.

8. Money issue: income and expenses

Starting a Christmas tree business is quite realistic with minimal capital. With 50-70 thousand rubles at your disposal, you can buy 100-200 trees, issue all permits and invest in minimal advertising.

Meter pines - the most popular product - are sold at a price of 300-400 rubles apiece. With a 100% margin, the revenue will be approximately 100,000 rubles. Net profit will remain 30-50 thousand rubles. If you sell additional products (garlands, Christmas tree decorations, etc.), you can double your profit.

In custody

The Christmas tree business is both simple and complex. Simplicity lies in the minimum capital and the process itself: you buy goods, you trade. Even a novice entrepreneur can handle this. With a little effort, in 3 weeks you can get a decent profit.

The difficulty lies in the fact that it is as easy to burn out in this business as to make money. Here it is important to understand where to buy goods, how to choose a tree variety, how to take a profitable place, how to increase profits from the sale of Christmas trees ... There is a risk that you will not have time to sell all the products on time - and then you will have to figure out where to put the Christmas trees. In addition, business is quite fast and unpredictable. You will not have time to “build up” - you will have to immediately get involved in the work. Therefore, be sure to weigh all the pros and cons before you rush to buy Christmas trees. Business is much more complex and deeper than it might seem. So plan everything in advance - both in terms of money and time. By December 15, when the Christmas markets begin their work, you should have everything ready.

The Christmas tree business is a business in which the most enterprising achieve success.

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Profitability calculator for this business

The New Year is coming soon and many are already planning holiday expenses in advance and thinking about the New Year's table, decorations and, of course, the Christmas tree. Very soon, the bazaars and retail outlets near the bazaars will flood many Christmas tree traders, and although the sales period does not last very long - a maximum of one and a half weeks, you can earn good money during this time if you properly organize the trade and supply of Christmas trees.

For those who want to invest in quick money, selling Christmas trees will be a good investment choice and a way to earn good money in a short time.

Live spruces are a very specific product, first of all, because the lifetime of a live Christmas tree is very short, it quickly loses its presentation and crumbles. But, a person who knows how to competently organize trade can earn up to three thousand dollars in profit from the Christmas tree business during the festive period.

Organizational nuances

First of all, it should be borne in mind that for the sale of Christmas trees it is necessary to obtain an appropriate permit, which is issued in consumer service departments in the markets, in district executive committees or in the local city administration. The location and number of Christmas tree markets is also controlled by the city administration. Therefore, you will have to make some efforts to get permission to trade in a good place. Because the level of sales will largely depend on the location of the outlet. As a rule, Christmas trees are purchased by people close to home, so that they do not have to carry the tree through the whole city. Therefore, it makes sense to get permission to organize a Christmas tree bazaar somewhere in a residential area.

After a permit for the trade in spruces is obtained, it will be necessary to conclude an agreement with some forestry. All these documents must be carried with you in a complete set, as Christmas tree markets are subject to constant and strict checks. Trade tents with Christmas trees themselves are also subject to constant inspections. The point of sale must have a cash register, a fire extinguisher, a meter and a price list. It is allowed to sell Christmas trees not only in a fenced area, but also directly from the car.

It should also be noted that the registration of all necessary permits and documents must be started in advance, some experienced sellers of Christmas trees advise doing this as early as September, in order to have the entire set of documents on hand with the start of the New Year holidays.

Purchase of goods in the forestry

Finding a suitable forestry is not a difficult task at all. Now it is enough to have the Internet and be able to use search engines. On the Internet there are many offers from forestries for wholesale purchases of Christmas trees. If the sale of Christmas trees is not planned in large volumes, then another supplier option is a farm. They also grow spruces and pines, but, unlike forestry, they accept small deliveries.

Forestries usually offer lots of Christmas trees up to a hundred pieces and more and require up to 50% advance payment. Tree cutting starts after December 15th. The purchase price of Christmas trees within a meter high is about 200 rubles, more than a meter up to two - approximately 400 rubles.

When transporting Christmas trees from forestry, it must be remembered that cars with such a load are tracked on the highways in order to fine for poaching, in which case the goods are completely withdrawn. In order not to encounter such a problem, you need to take care of the presence of a consignment note, which should indicate the car numbers and the number of trees in the back.

Trade in related products

In addition to Christmas trees, you can get beautiful branches with cones for free in the forestry, which are sold well. Especially such a product is in demand among that category of the population that does not want to purchase a whole Christmas tree. In parallel with fir-trees, cross-stands for fir-trees are usually sold at the outlets. They are both metal and wooden homemade. You can even make yourself a dozen or two crosses and sell them along with Christmas trees. However, the demand for them is not very high, so it’s not worth making a lot of them - a dozen crosses for a hundred Christmas trees will be quite enough.

The Christmas tree trade starts after mid-December and ends on December 31st towards the end of the working day.

Separately, it is necessary to pay attention to such a question, what to do with unsold goods? Indeed, often these unrealized Christmas trees can be seen in the garbage dumps near the market. However, you can try to sell the remains of unsold goods. For example, you can grind Christmas trees into dust and sell them to summer residents for fertilizer. Another option for selling unsold Christmas trees is to sell them to those who make funeral wreaths from living needles.

Thus, for those who want to invest in quick earnings to get a high income, sale of Christmas trees a very good investment opportunity. The main thing in the sale of this specific product is a competent organization of trade. If you take into account all the nuances of this business, then in a short period of sale of Christmas trees, you can make a profit several times higher than the invested funds.

Hello!

What do you need to apply for a trade license?
By mid-December, the consumer market department of the district or city administration is already identifying street places for New Year's Christmas tree markets. If you intend to trade on the central streets of the city (a more crowded, and therefore more profitable place), it is better to submit an application in advance, then the authorities will take into account the request when determining the places of trade. The application indicates a request to allow the sale of Christmas trees at a specific address.
Usually a permit (coupon) for trading is issued in a short time, even on the day of application. The issuance of these documents is carried out in accordance with the procedure approved by local governments. Don't forget to take the standard form of the contract with the leshoz along with the permit. In the administration, you can also get acquainted with the list of nurseries (leshozes) that grow and harvest Christmas trees.
Forest Documents
In the leshoz, you pay the cost of the trees and take a receipt to present to the forestry, which is usually a subdivision of the leshoz. The cost of a Christmas tree includes the costs of: searching for commercial trees, the work of a lumberjack, delivering Christmas trees to the forestry office, taxes and expenses for maintaining the forest area where the felling took place.
Together with the trees in the forestry, you need to pick up the receipt by which you paid for the trees.
Please note: the forester on the back of the receipt must make a note about how much and what kind of fir trees you were given.
You can save money on the work of a lumberjack by cutting trees yourself. A logging permit is available to everyone. However, forest use is possible only with a logging ticket. This is stated in Art. 42 of the Forest Code of the Russian Federation.
Typically, a forestry has a felling ticket, and on its basis it issues an order for a small leave of standing timber or a forest ticket.
The ticket prescribes the location of the forest fund site, the quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the forest resources (fir trees, firs, pines, spruce branches), their cost, and the timing of the work.
Liability for illegal logging
You can’t just come into the forest and cut down the trees you like. For deforestation without permission, administrative and criminal liability is imposed (Article 110 of the Forest Code of the Russian Federation). You should get rid of the temptation to cut down extra trees (for example, write out 50 pieces on the invoice, and cut down 70) in advance. You just can't take out the excess.
The fact is that for the transportation of spruces, pines, spruce branches, a warrant is required, as well as a receipt for payment for spruces with a round seal of forestry enterprises.
All documents must indicate the date of issue, the number and size of firs. And if the quantity indicated in the warrant does not match the real one, you will violate the forest legislation.
Responsibility for illegal logging is provided for in Art. 8.25 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation (administrative) and Art. 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.
Illegal felling is any method of separating a tree from its root without permission (a logging ticket) or in violation of its conditions.
The specific amount of the fine depends on the damage caused to the forest fund. Illegally felled trees are confiscated.
Organization of a trading place
The requirements for the organization of trade in the Christmas tree business are very strict. Each trading place must be provided with an information plate with the designation of the trading organization.
At the end of the sale, sanitary cleaning is carried out. The Christmas tree dealer is required to have a price list, a measuring ruler, packaging material, a guest book and a fire extinguisher. Sales points are regularly raided by representatives of Rosprirodnadzor, Gospozhnadzor, Rosleskhoz, the police (including the environmental police), and forestry employees.
Therefore, sellers must have with them invoices (orders) from the forestry, permission for the right to trade.
Acceptance of money from the public
Itinerant trade is retail trade for cash outside the location of a stationary store.
Do street vendors always have to make settlements with customers through cash registers? Let us turn to paragraph 3 of Art. 2 of Law N 54-FZ. It allows not to use a cash register when trading in markets, fairs and other areas designated for trade, as well as in small retail trade from stalls.
This does not apply to shops, pavilions, vans and other commercial places that ensure the display and preservation of goods. The latter are required to use cash registers. Apparently, a fenced Christmas tree market should still be attributed to a trading place that ensures the display and safety of goods. Therefore, CCT will have to be applied.

Clause 2 of Art. 14.5 of the Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation Non-use of cash register equipment in cases established by federal laws, use of cash register equipment that does not meet the established requirements or is used in violation of the procedure and conditions for its registration and use established by the legislation of the Russian Federation, as well as refusal to issue at the request of the buyer ( client) in the case provided for by federal law, a document (sales receipt, receipt or other document confirming the receipt of funds for the relevant goods (work, service), -

shall entail a warning or the imposition of an administrative fine on citizens in the amount of one thousand five hundred to two thousand roubles; on officials - from three thousand to four thousand rubles; for legal entities - from thirty thousand to forty thousand rubles.

The seasonal trade in Christmas trees begins in mid-December, but it is necessary to prepare now. The sooner a contract for the supply of trees is concluded, the cheaper they will cost. To organize bazaars, you need to obtain the status of an individual entrepreneur and permission to place a trading facility. The seller must have documents confirming the delivery of a batch of Christmas trees.

Favorite family holidays are approaching - New Year and Christmas. So, again, live Christmas trees, pines and firs will be in the price. With the right approach, this seasonal business can make good money.

Where to begin

Christmas tree trade must be legal. The best way is to register an IP. OKVED code 47.89 or 47.99 - retail trade outside stores (in markets, in tents, with home delivery) of other types of goods. The optimal taxation system is the simplified tax system (6%). You can register an individual entrepreneur at the tax office for a permanent or temporary residence permit, and if there is an electronic signature of an individual - via the Internet.

In addition, it is necessary to coordinate the location of the Christmas tree market. Each piece of land has an owner - a private person or the state. And you will have to negotiate with those who own or manage this site.

If a point is planned to be opened in the market, the businessman must go to the administration of the market and conclude a lease agreement for the place. Another thing is a Christmas tree market on municipal land. Permission to organize such an outlet must be obtained from the local administration.

Usually the municipality allocates certain places for such bazaars. But you can offer your own by submitting an application to the administration for the placement of an object of non-stationary trade. It is necessary to attach to it a plan of the city or district, on which the desired site is marked. In what form it will be required - it is better to find out in the administration.

Organization of a trading place

The trading place must meet the requirements of the administration and the fire inspection. After the start of trading, you should be prepared for checks, especially from firefighters.

The requirements are:

• The place for trading should be fenced. In recent years, city authorities have demanded that Christmas tree bazaars be decorated in the same style, including the installation of a special fence. And these are additional expenses, sometimes very significant;
• a sign such as "Christmas market" or "Christmas tree trade" should be equipped;
• a plate with the full name of the entrepreneur and phone number is required;
• there must be a price list or at least an indication of “Price from *** rubles.”;
• a cash register is required.

In the trade tent it is necessary to have:

• axe;
• saw;
• roulette;
• fire extinguisher;
• packaging material: ropes, nets, etc.

The seller must have all the papers that give him the right to trade in this place this product:

• an agreement with a landlord - a private owner, the administration of a market or a city (settlement);
• if the outlet is on private territory - a copy of the document confirming the ownership or ownership of the lessor;
• an agreement with the forestry or farm where the Christmas trees were purchased;
• packing list;
• act of acceptance and transfer, if it was drawn up;
• price-list;
• book of complaints.

Where to go in Moscow

Before each New Year in Moscow, about 200 bazaars sell Christmas trees. The places for their placement are determined by the district prefectures. The tenants of the allocated plots are determined at public auctions, which are organized by the City Department for Competition Policy. The winner of the auction receives a plot for rent for 5 years, but can only use it during the Christmas tree market - from December 20 to 31.

Usually all the good places have long been rented out. Moreover, tenants often do not open bazaars themselves, but re-lease plots to real sellers of Christmas trees.

You can also consult the Department of Trade and Services of the city of Moscow - he manages the markets, including weekends. Perhaps there are places for the sale of Christmas trees on their territory.

Buying Christmas trees: where to find low prices

Spruces and pines are grown specifically for cutting before the New Year, and trees are also sent for sale after thinning coniferous plantations or clearing forest roads. You can buy them in bulk in forestries, farms, nurseries, which are in any region. For information, you can contact the territorial division of Rosleskhoz.

Offers can also be found on the Internet - on advertisement portals, in catalogs of wholesalers or on farm websites. Prices depend on the type and height of the tree, as well as the volume of the lot. The most popular goods are spruces and pines 1.5-2.5 meters high. Average prices are presented in the following table.

Source: agroserver.ru, elisnab.ru, avito.ru

Note. For a fee, many vendors offer trees to choose from.

In addition to Russian spruces and pines, suppliers offer coniferous trees from the Scandinavian countries, Estonia and even Canada. They are significantly more expensive and are positioned as a higher quality class.

Source: festima.ru, cveti-piter.ru, avito.ru

Reference. Fraser Fir is a premium variant of the Christmas tree. It is highly resistant - up to a month in room conditions. The needles are not prickly, do not crumble when dried. There is no tiered distribution of branches. It can also be planted in its own garden plot.

It is profitable to import Christmas trees from abroad, provided that the batch is large - from 1,000 pieces. However, this is associated not only with high costs, but also with additional difficulties. There is a procedure for customs clearance of cargo and sanitary control. Therefore, more often such trees are bought from suppliers in Russia. small wholesale lots (15-20, less often - from 50 pieces).

Photo: plantation of New Year and Christmas trees.
Source: LloydTheVoid/pixabay

Delivery

Delivery of coniferous trees is most often undertaken by the supplier. But a self-delivery option is also possible, especially if the party is small. Also, the supplier can offer tree storage services until the time comes for the opening of Christmas tree markets.

It is convenient to order large quantities - from 1,000 pieces, because it is on such volumes that the maximum discounts are given. And just as many trees fit in a standard saddle train (truck, which is usually called a wagon). However, for the implementation of such a batch, several points of sale will have to be equipped.

If you decide to open one point, you need to focus on delivery by a truck like a tented Gazelle. Approximately 200 packed trees are placed there.

For the transportation of fir trees across the country, standard documents are sufficient - a contract, a consignment note (sometimes they make up an acceptance certificate). If you decide to organize the delivery on your own, you will need the same kit. If a third-party transport company is hired, documents for transportation (consignment note) are additionally issued.

Note. The documents must indicate the number of firs. On the eve of the holiday, the Federal Forestry Agency, together with law enforcement agencies, conducts special operations (“New Year Tree”, “Herringbone”). Their goal is to prevent illegal cutting of coniferous plantations. The truck can be stopped to check and even count the number of trees.

If there are no documents (or there will be more than indicated in the documents), troubles threaten. A batch of firs may be detained to clarify the circumstances. For illegal logging, not only administrative fines are imposed. If the damage is more than 5 thousand rubles, the violator faces criminal liability under Article 260 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation.

How much can you earn

The first question that arises is how many Christmas trees can be sold at one point. It is difficult to answer it unambiguously. It all depends on how well it is located. Through one point, at least 150-350 units can be sold.

An important expense item is the cost of rent, but it all depends on the region and the location of the outlet. To make the spread of prices clear, here are a few examples of ads from different regions (the cost is indicated for the entire period):

• in Rostov-on-Don, ready-made sites with the necessary equipment are offered for rent at a price of 40,000 rubles (information from the website youla.ru);
• in the suburbs of St. Petersburg (Shushary, Slavyanka, Pushkin) plots of 10 sq. meters without equipment can be rented at a price of 5,000 rubles (according to avito.ru);
• in Moscow and the Moscow region places of 15 sq. meters with all the necessary equipment for a Christmas tree bazaar can be rented at a price of 250,000 rubles (website moskva.gde.ru).

Note. In order to save money, the entrepreneur can work himself. But at least one more person is still needed. Trading goes on for most of the day, and it will be difficult to master it alone, and even in a frosty winter. It is best to work in shifts.

Table 3. Calculation of profit from the trade in Christmas trees (1 batch of 300 pieces)

	Amount, in rubles
Venue rental
Design for a Christmas tree bazaar, design in the same style (requirement of the authorities)
Purchase of trees (300 pieces at a price of 125 rubles)
Delivery from the supplier to the storage location
Warehouse rent
Transportation costs (delivery from the warehouse to the point of sale)
Decoration and inventory
Salary, 2 employees
Total expenses
Revenue at the cost of the Christmas tree 1000 rubles
	300 000 — 217 500 = 82 500

The New Year holidays are considered to be perhaps the most profitable period for entrepreneurs working in various fields. It is quite logical that many of them at least once thought about selling Christmas trees on the street, because this, albeit seasonal income, promises to be more than solid. In addition, such trade does not require obtaining numerous permits, licenses, as, for example, in the case of alcohol or pyrotechnics. In just a few days, an entrepreneur can receive up to 3 thousand dollars, which, of course, is a very good additional income.

Necessary equipment

To sell such a product, you will not need to purchase special equipment. However, such a business always attracts the attention of regulatory authorities, in particular, the State Forestry and Fire Supervision. To pass the check without problems, be sure to buy and store the following tools at your outlet:

• Pilu;
• Roulette;
• Axe;
• Fire extinguisher;
• Packing material (usually rope).

It is not necessary to fence the outlet, but it is still better to clarify this issue with the local administration. Some urge entrepreneurs to drive posts and wrap rope around the perimeter of the retail space, thereby creating visible boundaries.

Where to organize the sale of Christmas trees?

Of course, perhaps the main guarantee of your success will be the correct choice of the location of your point. An unsuccessful choice, on the contrary, is guaranteed to lead to a loss of money, because unsold goods can no longer be sold. Places in the markets and near large shopping centers are traditionally considered the most profitable. There is a high probability that they are already occupied by entrepreneurs who have been involved in this business for more than a year, but you should remember that, first of all, you need a passageway, and it can also be located in large residential areas. They are not too involved in this trade, although they are more than promising.

Where to buy spruce?

If you are planning to sell Christmas trees, pines and fir trees on the street, you will definitely need to find a reliable partner from whom you can buy goods at a reasonable price. The conclusion of contracts should be done immediately after obtaining permits, while the search for potential sellers must begin even before the documentation is drawn up.

Most often, entrepreneurs choose one of three options:

1. Forestries. It is in the forest areas that Christmas trees are purchased most often. Today they can be found in almost any region, but even if yours turned out to be an exception, you can order a consignment of goods in a neighboring region. Transportation, as a rule, does not cause any special problems. If you do not know where to find such enterprises, when preparing documents, pay attention to the list of nurseries with plants that are purchased specifically from forestry enterprises. Remember, the farther from the city, the better the goods and the lower the prices. However, it should also be taken into account that the size of the minimum lot sold in forestries is 100 trees. By signing the contract, the entrepreneur pays half of the amount, and the other half must be paid directly at the time of shipment. The date of the order also matters - the sooner you make a deal, the better for you, because the competition in this business is quite tough.
2. Farms. If such farms are found near the city, it is there that you can buy small quantities of goods (you should not count on large deliveries from such enterprises).
3. Wholesalers. Intermediaries allow the entrepreneur to get rid of all the worries associated with finding suppliers and transporting trees, however, when buying a large batch of goods in bulk, your markup will be very small. This will deprive you of most of the possible profit, that is, if you have such an opportunity, it is worth buying spruce from other partners. In addition, suppliers can offer you imported wood, but its cost will be 10 times higher than the market price, and it is unlikely that you will immediately be able to enter the number of outlets that focus on wealthy buyers without serious investment.

Profitability and profitability of the Christmas tree business

An active businessman can earn up to 3 thousand dollars in 8 days of holiday excitement. However, this will not be so easy to do.

According to the latest statistics, during this period, forestry enterprises earn from 10 to 20 thousand dollars on Christmas trees. The total market volume is estimated at 0.5 to 0.7 million dollars. Consequently, such trade cannot be called a big business, but rather a source of additional, relatively large and quick income. As a rule, nurseries sell trees at a price of 50 cents to one and a half dollars per linear meter. The retail price is 30-40% higher than the wholesale price. Thus, your revenue will directly depend on the original price and the size of the consignment. Typically, a Christmas tree market earns up to $500 a day, and the profitability of the business as a whole is from 15 to 25%.

This amount can be significantly increased by opening a whole network of similar points. However, experienced entrepreneurs who have a sufficiently large amount for investment can bring such an idea to life.

Required documents

The sale of Christmas trees on the streets is regulated by government organizations, which means that your point must comply with all existing requirements, and you, in turn, must have all the documents confirming the legality of the activity. In addition, you must be registered as an Individual Entrepreneur (registration of a legal entity is also possible, however, as a rule, it is simply not necessary for a small business).

First of all, you need to decide on the location of your point. If it is located on the municipal market, you need to contact its administration and request a trade permit (many experienced entrepreneurs note that this option not only makes it easier and faster to process documents, but also usually brings more profit to the owner). By renting space, you can start trading.

If you want to sell Christmas trees in a residential area, the entrepreneur will need to contact the district administration (it is better to call, and only then go) and fill out the appropriate application. You also need to know what form the plan of the place where your point will be located should be presented in.

So, permission to trade received. What other documents will an entrepreneur need in order for the activity to be completely legal?

When purchasing a consignment of goods, you will need to obtain an agreement and an acceptance certificate from the forestry (in this case, all documents must contain information on the exact number of purchased trees). All these documents, if necessary, will need to be presented to representatives of the supervisory authorities.

Thus, in case of verification, you must submit the following documents for review:

1. Permission to trade from the administration or the market;
2. Bill of lading;
3. Tax invoice.

In addition, your point should have a sign that informs about its profile (check this issue with the administration). Prices (not necessarily exact) should also be written on. Any sheet with information, for example, an IP number and a telephone number, must be signed by you.

If you hire a distributor, be sure to draw up an acceptance certificate - this will help to avoid theft.