The retail business can have many variations.  Some people will start selling product
from their homes until they grow large enough to require a store front.  Some types
of retail products are much too large to sell from home so a warehouse is needed and
possibly a store front also.  A good retail business is one that the owner is passionate
about and often that they make themselves.  It could be plants, pottery, clothing,
baby gear, sheds, or bathing suits as long as you are involved in the product and
know enough about it to sell it.

The move from selling out of your home to a store is a big decision.  Your expenses
will go from just the cost of the product to employees, insurance, rent, telephone
service, utilities, and advertising.  Do not underestimate the advantages of having
low overhead.  Many businesses don't make it simply because their monthly expenses
are too high.  

There are lots of creative ideas that can be used if you are not tied down to high
overhead.  You can sell on consignment where you put your product in someone
else's store and they don't have to pay you for it until it sells.  You can market to
stores and try to sell a large amount of your product instead of just selling one by
one.  Trade shows in the field that your product comes from will help your exposure
as will advertising in magazines that are distributed to your target customers.  
Identifying your customers in necessary and will help you to not spend your energy in
the wrong direction.

Once there is a demand for your product, finding a store to sell from is the next
logical move.  You should assess the traffic flow and if the traffic is the type of
customer that is going to buy your product.  Negotiating a lease should be done very
carefully.  If you have a friend that has done it before, bring them with you.  
The Retail Owners Institute has some great information on starting and operating
your own retail store.
Retail