Discover 10 types of shoe business startup costs in 2025. Detailed breakdown for reselling, boutiques, online stores, manufacturing, sneakers, and more. If you want to start a footwear business, the first thing to know is: How much does it cost to start a shoe business in 2025? The investment depends on your chosen model — and there are more options than you think.
This guide covers 10 types of shoe business models with startup costs, along with profit potential. By the end, you’ll know exactly which one matches your budget.
Why Knowing Startup Costs Matters
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Financial clarity: Helps avoid overspending.
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Model selection: Guides you toward the right type of business.
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Profit planning: Ensures margins cover expenses.
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Scaling strategy: Helps prepare for growth.
Therefore, calculating startup costs is the key to success.
10 Shoe Business Startup Costs in 2025
1. Shoe Reselling Business
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Initial stock: ₹5,000 – ₹50,000
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Branding & packaging: ₹2,000 – ₹10,000
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Marketing: ₹3,000 – ₹15,000/month
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Total: ₹10,000 – ₹75,000
👉 Best for beginners with very low investment.
2. Shoe Boutique
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Shop rent/interiors: ₹2,00,000 – ₹10,00,000
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Stock: ₹5,00,000 – ₹15,00,000
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Marketing & staff: ₹1,00,000+
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Total: ₹8 – ₹20 lakh
👉 Ideal for premium, urban markets.
3. Online Shoe Store
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Domain & hosting: ₹3,000 – ₹5,000/year
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Shopify/WooCommerce: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000/month
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Ads & photography: ₹50,000+
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Total: ₹50,000 – ₹2 lakh
👉 Scalable nationwide with moderate investment.
4. Shoe Manufacturing Unit
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Factory setup: ₹2,00,000 – ₹10,00,000
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Machinery: ₹5,00,000 – ₹15,00,000
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Raw materials & labor: ₹2,00,000+
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Total: ₹10 – ₹20 lakh (small scale)
👉 High profits but requires heavy investment.
5. Sneaker Reselling
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Rare sneaker stock: ₹1 – ₹5 lakh
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Marketing & promotions: ₹50,000+
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Total: ₹2 – ₹6 lakh
👉 Huge profits (30%–80%) but requires connections for supply.
6. Kids’ Shoe Business
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Small store setup: ₹1 – ₹3 lakh
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Stock & packaging: ₹50,000 – ₹1 lakh
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Total: ₹1.5 – ₹4 lakh
👉 Consistent demand since kids outgrow shoes quickly.
7. Eco-Friendly Shoe Brand
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Sustainable materials: ₹1 – ₹3 lakh
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Small batch production: ₹2 – ₹5 lakh
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Marketing & branding: ₹1 lakh+
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Total: ₹4 – ₹8 lakh
👉 Profitable niche with global demand.
8. Home-Based Shoe Business
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WhatsApp/Instagram setup: Free
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Initial stock: ₹5,000 – ₹20,000
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Packaging: ₹2,000 – ₹5,000
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Total: ₹7,000 – ₹30,000
👉 Perfect for part-time or side hustle.
9. Wholesale Shoe Business
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Bulk purchase: ₹2 – ₹5 lakh
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Warehouse rent: ₹50,000+
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Logistics: ₹30,000 – ₹50,000
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Total: ₹3 – ₹6 lakh
👉 Profitable if supplying to multiple retailers.
10. Franchise Shoe Store
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Franchise fees: ₹5 – ₹15 lakh
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Interiors & branding: ₹5 – ₹10 lakh
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Stock & working capital: ₹5 – ₹10 lakh
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Total: ₹15 – ₹35 lakh
👉 Safer but costlier option with an established brand.
Quick Comparison Table
| Shoe Business Model | Investment Range | Profit Margin |
|---|---|---|
| Reselling Business | ₹10,000 – ₹75,000 | 20% – 35% |
| Shoe Boutique | ₹8 – ₹20 lakh | 35% – 60% |
| Online Shoe Store | ₹50,000 – ₹2 lakh | 25% – 50% |
| Shoe Manufacturing | ₹10 – ₹20 lakh+ | 40% – 70% |
| Sneaker Reselling | ₹2 – ₹6 lakh | 30% – 80% |
| Kids’ Shoe Business | ₹1.5 – ₹4 lakh | 25% – 50% |
| Eco-Friendly Shoe Brand | ₹4 – ₹8 lakh | 40% – 60% |
| Home-Based Shoe Business | ₹7,000 – ₹30,000 | 20% – 35% |
| Wholesale Shoe Business | ₹3 – ₹6 lakh | 25% – 40% |
| Franchise Shoe Store | ₹15 – ₹35 lakh | 25% – 50% |
FAQs About Shoe Business Startup Costs
1. What is the cheapest way to start a shoe business?
Reselling or a home-based shoe business can start under ₹10,000.
2. Which shoe business needs the highest investment?
Franchise stores and manufacturing units usually require ₹15–35 lakh or more.
3. Is an online shoe store profitable?
Yes, with margins of 25%–50%, online shoe stores are profitable and scalable.
4. How much investment is needed for sneaker reselling?
Usually ₹2–6 lakh, depending on access to rare collections.
5. Which shoe business model has the best ROI?
Sneaker reselling and manufacturing offer the highest returns, but boutiques also perform well in urban areas.
Conclusion for Shoe Business Startup Costs
Shoe business startup costs in 2025 vary from ₹7,000 to ₹35 lakh, depending on your chosen model.
To recap:
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Reselling and home-based setups are cheapest.
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Online stores and kids’ shoes require moderate investment.
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Manufacturing and franchises need the largest budgets.
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Sneaker reselling and eco-friendly brands offer exciting profit margins.
👉 Next Steps:
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Download the Free Shoe Business Checklist (PDF).
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Explore our guide to Shoe Manufacturers in India.
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Read the Pillar Guide: How to Start a Shoe Business in 2025.
With the right model, your budget can transform into a thriving footwear business.
