Thinking About Starting a Refill Shop? Here’s What We’ve Learned

On the other hand… how do you actually do that?

What products do you carry?
How do you price them?
How do you design a space that people understand without needing a full explanation every time they walk in?
How do you make it sustainable—not just environmentally, but financially?

These are the questions we asked ourselves when we started.

And they’re the same questions we hear from people all the time now.

There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Model

One of the biggest misconceptions about refill shops is that there’s a single “right” way to do it.

There isn’t.

Every community is different. What works in one neighborhood might not work in another. Product mix, pricing, store size, even how much education your customers need—all of it shifts depending on where you are and who you’re serving.

That’s not a drawback. It’s actually the opportunity.

The goal isn’t to copy another store. It’s to build something that fits your community while staying true to the core idea: rethink. reuse. refill.

The Details Matter More Than You Think

From the outside, refill can look straightforward. Bulk bins, glass jars, maybe a few cleaning products on tap.

But the day-to-day reality is shaped by small decisions:

• How customers move through your space
• How intuitive your systems feel
• How clearly things are labeled
• How your staff explains the process
• How your pricing compares (and communicates value)

When these pieces work together, the experience feels easy.
When they don’t, even the most well-intentioned concept can feel confusing or inaccessible.

We’ve spent years testing and refining these details—because they make all the difference.

Sourcing Is Both an Art and a Strategy

What you carry—and how you carry it—is everything.

It’s not just about finding products that align with your values. It’s about finding products that:

• People actually buy regularly
• Can be priced in a way that supports your business
• Fit into a refill system without creating unnecessary friction

There’s a balance between idealism and practicality here. You want to push things forward, but you also need your shelves (and bins) to move.

Getting that mix right takes time, iteration, and a willingness to adjust.

This Work Is Deeply Worth It

Refill isn’t just retail.

It’s behavior change. It’s community building. It’s creating a space where people can engage with sustainability in a tangible, everyday way.

You see it in small moments—someone bringing in their jars for the first time, a regular who’s slowly shifted their entire routine, a conversation that changes how someone thinks about waste.

Those moments add up.

And they’re a big part of why this work matters.

You Don’t Have to Figure It Out Alone

When we started, we were piecing things together as we went—testing, learning, adjusting in real time.

Now, after building and refining our model, we’ve started helping others do the same.

Whether you’re just exploring the idea or already deep in the process, having guidance can save you time, money, and a lot of unnecessary stress.

More importantly, it can help you build something that actually works—from day one.

Let’s Build More of This

If you’ve been thinking about starting a refill shop, take that seriously.

The world needs more spaces like this. And there’s room to do it in your own way, in your own community.

If you want support along the way, we’re here.

Reach out to business@regrocery.co and tell us what you’re working on—we’d love to be part of it.