Mini-mart owners operate with relatively low profit margins, which is why many also double as store managers for their units. When they're not hiring and training new employees, they count inventory, order products and supplies and meet with vendors and repair contractors. Salaries for mini-mart owners are highly contingent on population density, store location and the number of products they sell, including gasoline.
Net Profits Less Than $45,000
Most mini-mart owners pay themselves salaries from their profits. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics classifies mini-mart owners as "first-line supervisors of retail sales workers" and reported their average annual earnings at $41,450 in 2013. The top 10 percent averaged more than $62,830 annually, while the lowest-paid made less than $23,490. (See references 2 and 4)
High School Usually Required
A mini-mart owner is responsible for tracking his sales and expenses, which requires math and bookkeeping skills. This is one reason the minimum educational requirement is typically a high school diploma or equivalent. Mini-mart owners also usually have one or more years of retail management experience. Other necessary qualifications are physical strength and stamina and supervisory, time-management, merchandising, communication, negotiation and decision-making skills. (See references 1 and 3)
Higher Earnings With Multiple Units
While the BLS estimates a 4 percent increase in employment for first-line supervisors of retail sales workers, most mini-mart owners create their own jobs. They have more opportunities for growth in areas where there's less competition from other convenient stores. Mini-mart owners can advance their careers and increase profits by opening additional stores. (See reference 1)