§1What this business is
A one-stop outdoor equipment store in Dehradun or Rishikesh that buys from authorised manufacturers and distributors, adds its own private-label range, and sells to trekkers, tourists, adventure operators, schools, NCC units and resorts. It also rents tents, sleeping bags and poles, sells on its own website and on marketplaces, and grows through franchise stores in trekking towns such as Uttarkashi, Joshimath and Munsiyari. Staff advise customers on a full kit for each trek; safety gear must be certified and inspected.
Capacity: Revenue ₹130 L in year 1 (store and online ₹105 L, franchise ₹15 L, institutional and rental ₹10 L) rising to ₹460 L in year 5 with 15 franchise stores.
§2Is it right for you?
Who it is for
A trekker or adventure professional with retail sense and contacts among trek operators, homestays and colleges.
Who it is not for
Someone who would buy the cheapest safety gear to raise margins.
Advantages
- Uttarakhand has many trekking routes and adventure operators
- Rental, online and institutional sales add to store income
- Franchising lets the brand grow without funding every store
- Expert advice sets it apart from online sellers
Drawbacks
- Large stock needed, some of it slow-moving
- Demand is seasonal
- Competition from big outdoor brands and online price cuts
- Liability if safety-critical gear fails
Skills you need
- Product knowledge of trekking and climbing gear
- Inventory and multi-vendor buying
- Online selling and marketplace management
- Franchise selection, training and audits
Why difficulty 3/5: A standard retail set-up, but franchising and safety-gear quality control add work.
§3Market
Who buys
- Trekkers and tourists
- Adventure-tour operators and trekking companies
- Schools, colleges and NCC units
- Mountaineering institutes
- Homestays, resorts and corporate adventure programmes
How it sells
- Company-owned flagship store
- Own website, Amazon, Flipkart and social commerce
- Franchise outlets (fee ₹3.00 lakh, royalty 5% of net sales)
- Institutional supply and equipment rental
Good to know
- Phase I franchise towns: Rishikesh, Haldwani, Joshimath, Uttarkashi, Pithoragarh, Rudraprayag.
- Year 5 target: ₹4.60 crore revenue and 15 franchise outlets.
§4Raw material & machinery
| Item | Qty | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Display racks | — | ₹2.00 lakh |
| Wall panels | — | ₹0.60 lakh |
| Cash counter / POS | — | ₹0.75 lakh |
| Barcode system | — | ₹0.35 lakh |
| Computers | — | ₹0.50 lakh |
| CCTV | — | ₹0.35 lakh |
| Air conditioning | — | ₹0.80 lakh |
| Lighting | — | ₹0.40 lakh |
| Weighing and packaging tools | — | ₹0.20 lakh |
| Product demonstration equipment | — | ₹0.40 lakh |
| Website / e-commerce set-up | — | ₹2.00 lakh |
| Software / ERP for inventory and franchise | — | ₹0.75 lakh |
- Trekking footwear, clothing, backpacks and accessoriesbought from authorised manufacturers and distributors in Dehradun, Rishikesh, Delhi-NCR, Mumbai/Pune and Bengaluru
- Camping gear: tents, sleeping bags, mats, stovesalso used for the rental fleet
- Safety and technical gear: helmets, harnesses, carabiners, ropesmust meet safety standards and be inspected
- Private-label productshigher-margin items under the store's own brand
§5Licences & registration
- Udyam
- GST
- Shop and establishment registration / trade licence
- Trademark registration for the brand
- Franchise agreements
§6Schemes & subsidies
- MudraCentralActiveLoan up to ₹20 lakh, no collateral
- CGTMSECentralActiveNo collateral, up to ₹10 crore
- Stand-Up IndiaCentralClosed₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore loan
Retail trade fits MUDRA and CGTMSE-backed loans; Stand-Up India covers trading for women and SC/ST founders. The profile counts ₹4.00 L of subsidy, depending on eligibility.
§7Money
How the investment is worked out: Store interior ₹5.00 L + fixtures ₹2.50 L + POS and technology ₹1.50 L + e-commerce platform ₹2.50 L + initial inventory ₹12.00 L + storage ₹2.00 L + branding ₹1.50 L + franchise documentation ₹2.00 L + launch marketing ₹3.00 L + working capital margin ₹6.00 L + pre-operative ₹1.00 L + contingency ₹1.00 L = ₹40.00 L. Finance: promoter ₹10.00 L, bank ₹26.00 L, subsidy/support ₹4.00 L. A franchisee needs ₹16–24 L.
Working capital: Working capital margin ₹6.00 L plus initial inventory ₹12.00 L within the project cost.
Year not printed on the profile — check current stock and fit-out prices.
§8Export potential
A domestic retail business; the profile plans expansion to other Himalayan states, not exports.
§9Risks — where people fail
- Counterfeit or uncertified equipment
- Unsold seasonal stock
- Weak franchisees damaging the brand
- Tourism disruption from weather or road closures
§1030 / 60 / 90-day plan
A general plan that applies to any business. A plan for this business will be added after research.
- Days 1–30: Visit a working trekking and outdoor gear store (with franchise network) unit, ask 10 buyers about price and quantity, and get quotations from 3 suppliers.
- Days 31–60: Udyam and the licences you need (Udyam, GST), a project report (DPR), and the scheme or loan file.
- Days 61–90: Space and machines, trial production, and first deliveries to 10 customers.
§11Who to connect with
Associations, clusters and training institutes — the directory is being built. Connect
§12Watch
There is no episode on this business yet. Shows are coming soon on the Podcast page.
Want to start Trekking and Outdoor Gear Store (with Franchise Network)?
DPR, loan file or registration — ask us on WhatsApp.
¶Sources
Data review: 6 October 2026. Spotted a mistake? Report it. For information only — not legal or financial advice.