Starting a retail business is an exciting venture – but it can also be overwhelming when you don’t know where to begin. With so many options and rapidly changing consumer trends, identifying a business model that’s both viable and future-ready is no small feat. That’s exactly why we created this guide.
We work with over 17,000+ retail and F&B entrepreneurs across the region, and through these conversations as well as deep market research and analysis of consumer behaviours, we’ve compiled a list of 30 promising retail business ideas that you can explore this year.
1. Curated Online Thrift Store
Online thrift stores are rising in popularity, especially among Gen Z and Millennials who value sustainability and unique fashion finds. By curating themed collections – like vintage denim or minimalist wear – you can differentiate from generic secondhand platforms. For instance, Refash Malaysia and Instagram-based thrift shops are thriving by offering curated selections.
💡 Tip: Use Instagram Live to showcase collections and build a community with followers.
2. Specialty Coffee or Tea Cafe with a Local Focus
Image Credits: forestcloud.com.my
Cafés that serve more than just beverages – those that tell stories through locally sourced beans and tea blends – are seeing increased footfall. A strong aesthetic, welcoming atmosphere, and consistent quality will keep customers coming back. Take, for example, Forest Cloud, who recently built a loyal community spanning from Penang to KL through its coffee and matcha culture.
3. Mobile Eco-Friendly Car Wash
Urban professionals value convenience and sustainability. A mobile car wash service that uses waterless or eco-friendly methods and operates via an easy-to-use app meets both needs.
💡 Tip: Partner with office complexes to offer scheduled packages and build a regular client base.
4. Subscription Box for Malaysian Goods
Monthly boxes with snacks, crafts, or health products sourced from Malaysian makers offer both convenience and discovery. This model also supports local SMEs.
💡 Tip: Tailor boxes for themes like ‘Raya Edition’ or ‘Made in Sabah’ to keep customers excited.
5. Online Grocery & Meal Kits for Tier 2 Cities
While Klang Valley is saturated, smaller cities like Ipoh and Kuantan are underserved. Offering fresh groceries and easy-to-prepare meal kits via a user-friendly platform taps into growing online food habits. For instance, PasarTap connects urban consumers to local wet market vendors.
6. Artisan Marketplace (Online)
Support Malaysian craftspeople by providing an e-commerce platform to showcase and sell their work. Customers love products with a story.
💡 Tip: Introduce bundled gifts or themed collections to increase average cart size.
7. Personalised Gifting E-Commerce
Image Credits: 5luxescents.com
As gifting becomes more thoughtful, offering highly customisable boxes for weddings, corporate gifts, or birthdays adds real value. For example, 5Luxe Scents Co.‘s gift solutions allow for customisation of their signature scented candles, reed diffusers, mini room sprays, and soy wax melts.
8. Home-Based Custom Bakery
Passion-driven home bakers can build loyal communities, especially when catering to niche demands like gluten-free or themed cakes.
💡 Tip: Build loyalty with pre-order menus and treat subscription boxes.
9. Healthy ‘Ulam’ Delivery Service
Busy Malaysians seek home-cooked, healthy meals. A daily delivery service for traditional ‘ulam’ with a modern twist can cater to health-conscious office workers.
💡 Tip: Offer weekly or monthly subscriptions and allow meal customizations.
10. Artisanal Snack Pop-Up and Online Store
Image Credits: amazingraze.com.my
Uniquely flavored or healthier snack options can command premium prices. Combine online sales with pop-up presence at events to boost exposure. Amazin’ Graze is one of the most notable names in this category, having successfully scaled from artisanal roots to regional recognition.
11. Mobile Coffee/Juice Bar
Set up a coffee or juice cart in high-traffic locations, offering quality beverages on the go. These setups are more flexible and require lower investment than a full café.
12. Zero-Waste Lifestyle Store
Consumers are increasingly drawn to sustainable living. A zero-waste store offers reusable alternatives, package-free goods, and eco-conscious lifestyle products. The Hive Bulk Foods pioneered this model in Malaysia, having started as a single-store townhouse in 2016, to having five outlets in Bangsar, Ampang, Petaling Jaya, Intermark, and TTDI at the time of writing.
13. Modest Fashion Boutique
This niche is growing, especially with younger Muslim consumers seeking stylish, practical options. Online-first boutiques can scale with seasonal pop-ups. Misslilyshop offers modest clothing with timeless designs for both adults and children, having started online themselves before they expanded into brick-and-mortar stores.
14. Pet Supplies + Mobile Grooming
Combine retail with services by offering a range of pet products alongside grooming delivered to customers’ doorsteps. For instance, Paws on the Run offers mobile grooming services around the Klang Valley, allowing pet owners to book grooming appointments on-demand right at their doorstep. 💡 Tip: Introduce pet birthday bundles and member-only discounts.
15. Organic Mom & Baby Boutique
Health-conscious parents are seeking non-toxic and locally made baby products. A curated boutique can become a go-to resource.
💡 Tip: Collaborate with parenting communities and run educational workshops.
16. Gadget & Electronics Repair Shop
With rising costs, many prefer repairs over replacements. A transparent, quick-turnaround service with warranties builds trust.
💡 Tip: Offer bundle packages with accessories or screen protectors.
17. Local Craft Collective Store
Retail spaces that bring together multiple makers under one roof are increasingly popular among Millennials and Gen Z consumers. These shoppers appreciate supporting local artists and are drawn to vibrant, community-driven spaces, such as Kozie Krafts in SS17, Subang Jaya, where they can discover something new.
By offering shared shelf or booth rentals, this model lowers operational costs while increasing product variety. It also naturally fosters collaboration and creativity, making it more than just a shopping destination – it becomes a lifestyle hub.
18. Personal Styling Service (Online/In-person)
Help professionals or influencers revamp their wardrobes. Services can be delivered through virtual consultations or in-person sessions.
💡 Tip: Create style lookbooks for different client personas to make onboarding easier.
19. Co-working + Retail Pop-up Space
Blend a co-working space with pop-up stalls for retail brands. This hybrid encourages collaboration and discovery. 💡 Tip: Monetise through memberships and vendor rental fees.
20. Craft Workshop & Supply Store
Image Credits: craftiviti.com
Teach crafts like pottery or candle-making while selling supplies. People are seeking hands-on experiences more than ever. For example, Craftiviti offers different “Crafti-experiences” – mini-workshops that allow customers to make different items ranging from soap, to candles, and bath bombs, whilst doubling as a retail store selling all the ingredients needed to make them.
21. Bookstore + Cafe + Event Space
More than a place to buy books, create a space for literature lovers to connect over coffee and curated events. For instance, BookXcess integrates lifestyle and reading in creative spaces.
💡 Tip: Host book clubs, signings, and thematic nights to build a loyal community.
22. Smart ‘Kedai Runcit’
Mondo pioneered the first unmanned smart convenient store in Malaysia – allowing customers to make cashless payments and self-checkout without the need to hire staff. Start small by upgrading the neighborhood corner store with POS, e-wallet payments, and online ordering. Serve convenience and innovation.
💡 Tip: Offer essential financial services like bill payment or mobile top-ups.
23. Specialty Grocery (Health, Import, Vegan)
A grocery that focuses on specific needs – organic, keto, and gluten-free – can stand out in a crowded market. Signature Market has been serving health-conscious consumers online for over 10 years.
💡 Tip: Provide recipes and meal prep tips using featured products.
24. Hobby & Collectibles Store
Image Credits: isahobby.com
Tap into fan culture by selling figurines, games, and hobby kits. Build a space where enthusiasts gather. Isa Hobby is a newly established hobby site in Malaysia, founded by enthusiastic collectors who strive to promote a toys and collectibles culture.
💡 Tip: Host meetups, pre-orders for new launches, and trading days.
25. Franchise Retail Operations
Owning a franchise can de-risk entry into retail. With a proven business model and brand support, you focus on operations.
💡 Tip: Use analytics to track performance across multiple outlets and spot trends early.
26. Upcycled Furniture Store
Restore or transform used furniture into design pieces. Consumers love sustainable and unique home decor. Kedai Bikin champions local craftsmanship and sustainability, working with local artisans to feature Malaysian-crafted furniture and home accessories.
💡 Tip: Document the transformation process to build storytelling into your brand.
27. Mobile Beauty Services
Provide at-home beauty treatments – manicures, hairstyling, facials – booked through an app. Ideal for busy professionals and events.
💡 Tip: Offer wedding or corporate event packages for higher value bookings.
28. Personalised Pet Bakery
Image credits: Manjapot’s Instagram
Pet lovers are spending more on treats and birthdays. A pet bakery that allows customisation taps into this emotional connection. Apart from being a cat playground, Manjapot specialises in custom pet-friendly cakes perfect for celebrations.
💡 Tip: Bundle treats with themed toys and offer delivery subscriptions.
29. Board Game Cafe or Niche Hobby Space
Combine retail and leisure with a space for playing and purchasing games. These venues are perfect for community building. D2C Boardgame Cafe in Sungai Petani, Kedah is a cosy cafe where people of all ages can gather to play board games and enjoy gadget-free moments together.
30. Tour & Experience Booking Kiosk with Souvenirs
Tourist-heavy areas can benefit from compact kiosks that offer local tour bookings alongside curated local souvenirs.
💡 Tip: Partner with hotels, guesthouses, and tour operators for referral commissions.
Building a Business That Lasts
These 30 business ideas offer more than just inspiration – they reflect where Malaysian retail is heading and the kinds of customer experiences that will matter most in 2025. Whether you’re leaning toward an online venture, a brick-and-mortar store, or a hybrid model, the key is to stay informed, customer-focused, and operationally efficient.
Having the right tools in place – especially when it comes to managing inventory, tracking sales, or building customer loyalty – can make all the difference.
StoreHub, used by thousands of local entrepreneurs, is one such platform helping businesses turn great ideas into profitable realities.
Whatever direction you choose, remember: success doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right insights, community, and support, you’re already one step ahead.
Here’s to building something remarkable in 2025 and beyond.
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