Opening a new convenience store: the supplies checklist

The lease is signed, the shelves are up, and the first product delivery is scheduled. Now comes the part many new owners underestimate: the supplies. A new store supplies checklist covers everything you need to run the store that isn't for sale, like receipt paper, bags, price labels, cleaning supplies, and office basics. Missing one of them on opening day can slow every sale.

Here's a practical list, organized by area, so you can walk the store and check things off.

What does the counter need?

The counter is where supplies matter most on day one.

Receipt paper rolls sized for your printer, with a good buffer.

Shopping bags in the sizes you'll use most. Check local bag rules first, since fees and bans vary by state and city.

A price gun and labels, or a label printer and label rolls.

Pens, tape, scissors, and a notepad.

A small trash can behind the counter.

Cleaning spray and cloths for spills.

Coin wrappers and bill straps for deposits.

A counterfeit detection pen or light, with training on its limits.

For receipt rolls, browse the paper rolls category on NRS Marketplace. For price guns and labels, check the label guns category too.

What POS and payment items should be ready?

Test all of these before opening day.

Register or terminal, set up with your items and prices.

Barcode scanner, tested on real products.

Receipt printer, loaded and tested.

Cash drawer, with a starting amount of change.

Card reader, connected and tested with a real sale if possible.

Spare cables and a surge-protecting power strip.

A backup plan for internet outages.

If you're setting up card processing, learn about NRS Pay. For POS parts and accessories, the POS parts category lists what's available for NRS merchants.

What do the back room and office need?

Shelving for stock, organized by category.

A box cutter, a hand truck or dolly if you'll receive heavy deliveries, and a step stool.

Labels and markers for shelves and bins.

A clipboard and receiving checklist by the back door.

A safe for cash and deposits.

Deposit bags and deposit slips from your bank.

Printer paper, envelopes, file folders, and a stapler for the office.

A first-aid kit.

For office supplies, browse the office and school supplies category.

What cleaning and safety supplies should you have?

Mop, bucket, broom, and dustpan.

Floor cleaner, glass cleaner, and disinfecting spray.

Paper towels and trash bags in several sizes.

Gloves for cleaning.

Restroom supplies, if you have a customer restroom: toilet paper, soap, and paper towels.

"Wet floor" signs.

Fire extinguishers, placed and inspected as your local rules require.

Exit signs and any other safety postings your building needs.

OSHA's small business resources cover workplace safety basics, and the U.S. Small Business Administration has guides on opening a new business.

How much should you buy before opening?

Enough for the first two or three weeks, with a buffer. You don't know your usage yet, so it's better to have a little extra of the essentials, like receipt paper and bags, than to run out.

Here's a hypothetical. A new store expects around 300 sales a day. If each receipt roll covers a set number of sales, the owner estimates daily roll use, multiplies by 21 days, and adds a buffer. After two weeks of real sales, they adjust the order based on actual use.

Start tracking supply usage from day one. A simple sheet in the supply closet, counted weekly, tells you what to reorder and when.