Your First Shop
Opening your first shop is the most important decision you will make in Tradorn. This guide covers everything from choosing the right type to making your first profit.
Choosing a Shop Type
Four shop types are available, but not all are equal for beginners:
| Shop Type | Category | Why / Why Not for Beginners |
|---|---|---|
| Grocery | Food | Best choice. Highest demand, fastest turnover. |
| Fashion | Clothing | Decent margins, but slower sales volume. |
| Tech | Technology | High product costs eat into your starting capital. |
| Jewelry | Luxury | Slowest demand. Not recommended early on. |
Recommendation: Start with a Grocery shop. Food consumption is 0.15 units per NPC per hour — far higher than any other category. This means your products sell faster, giving you quicker returns.
Buying from Suppliers
Each product has three supplier tiers:
- Cheap — Lowest buy price, but lower NPC appeal. Good for maximizing margins on a tight budget.
- Standard — The sweet spot. Moderate cost with solid appeal. Start here.
- Premium — Highest buy price, but NPCs love premium goods. Use once you have capital to spare.
With $10,000 starting capital, stock Standard-tier products. You want enough volume to keep your shelves full between purchase cycles.
Setting Sell Prices
Your profit margin is the difference between your buy price and sell price. Here is how to think about it:
- Too low (under 10%): You make almost nothing. Not sustainable.
- Sweet spot (20-40%): Competitive prices with healthy margins. NPCs buy regularly.
- Too high (over 60%): NPCs see the high price and shop elsewhere. Your stock sits unsold.
Watch the market. If competitors are undercutting you, adjust. If demand is high and supply is low, you can push prices up.
How NPC Purchases Work
Every 45 seconds, NPCs in your region evaluate all shops. They consider:
- Price — Lower relative prices attract more buyers
- Quality tier — Premium products have higher appeal
- Your reputation — Built over time through successful sales
When an NPC decides to buy, the sale happens automatically. You earn money and XP, and your stock decreases. Restock before you run out to keep the revenue flowing.
Tips for Your First Shop
- Start in North Harbor or South Bazaar — both are Level 1 regions with good population
- Reinvest profits immediately into more stock
- Check your shop at least once a day to restock
- Do not spread too thin too early — master one shop before opening a second