20 Best Video Games Where You Run Your Own Store

TCG Card Shop Simulator (2024)

If you've ever longed to own your own trading card store, complete with dusty shelves, booster pack inventory, and awkward teenage regulars, TCG Card Shop Simulator delivers the dream. You're in charge of everything from stocking the latest sets to navigating customer requests, price trends, and those mysterious foil pulls. On top of that, you get to dive into the in-universe card game, Tetramon Duel Master, which is surprisingly well-developed and addictive in its own right. As a player, you’ll find yourself hoarding rare cards for profit or pride, depending on how ruthless you feel. The game adds fun challenges like organizing tournaments, customizing your store, and competing with rival shops. It’s a nostalgic, nerdy fantasy wrapped in a tight business sim package. | © OPNeon Games

Supermarket Simulator (2024)

Ever dreamt of running your own supermarket, complete with the chaos of restocking shelves, managing unruly customers, and chasing down the occasional shoplifter? Supermarket Simulator turns that dream—and nightmare—into reality. This first-person shop management sim gives you full control over everything, from pricing and product placement to checkout interactions and expansion choices. There’s a strange thrill in unloading produce boxes and organizing frozen foods just right, all while keeping an eye on your profits. The game doesn’t shy away from the nitty-gritty of retail—expect to wrestle with supply logistics, messy floors, and the dreaded customer complaints. It’s a surprisingly immersive and chaotic experience that will have you respecting your local grocer a whole lot more. Just don’t forget to cash out before closing time. | © Nokta Games

Amber Isle (2024)

In Amber Isle, you’re not just selling stuff—you’re helping a forgotten prehistoric community come back to life. Set on an island populated by adorable Paleofolk (think dinosaurs with great fashion sense), this life sim/shop hybrid invites you to restore, decorate, and manage your own charming little store. As you settle in, you’ll gather resources, learn each villager’s preferences, and unlock heartfelt storylines that build the island’s quirky history. It’s got all the cozy vibes of Stardew Valley with the bonus of dino friends who need your retail savvy to thrive. While the pace is relaxed, the depth is surprising, and the world slowly unfolds around you like a friendly hug from the past. It’s a heartfelt, wholesome take on store management that keeps you smiling with every transaction. | © Ambertail Games / Team17

Final Profit: A Shop RPG (2023)

Final Profit is what happens when you mix business simulation with a full-blown fantasy RPG and throw in a good dose of satire. You play as a disgraced magical villainess who's had enough of dark towers and is now aiming to dismantle the oppressive ruling class through the most terrifying force of all—capitalism. The game cleverly blends shopkeeping mechanics with deep narrative elements, giving you the power to manipulate markets, invest in shady ventures, and make ethical or ruthless business decisions. Along the way, you'll encounter delightfully weird characters, take part in underground trading rings, and battle the economic elite in metaphorical (and sometimes literal) combat. It's witty, weird, and weirdly inspiring—a rare gem in the shop sim genre. | © Brent Arnold

Convenience Stories (2023)

From the moment you boot up Convenience Stories, you’ll realize this isn’t just about selling soda and chips—it’s about building a retail empire one sandwich at a time. Created by Kairosoft, the game plunges you into the life of a convenience store manager, juggling everything from product lines to store layout, seasonal trends, and customer quirks. As you progress, you unlock bigger spaces, more product categories, and fancier furnishings, all while trying to squeeze a few more yen out of every transaction. What makes it shine is that classic Kairosoft charm: colorful pixel art, an upbeat soundtrack, and a gameplay loop that’s dangerously easy to lose hours in. You’ll be amazed how fun it is to restock ramen at midnight. | © Kairosoft Co. Ltd.

Saleblazers (2023)

Saleblazers isn’t your typical shopkeeping game—it’s what happens when you throw retail management, multiplayer chaos, survival crafting, and combat into a blender. This genre-defying experience lets you build a shop from the ground up on a wild, lawless island. You’ll set up your inventory and storefront, sure—but you’ll also fight off raiders, scavenge for resources, and maybe even battle your customers if things get too intense. There's co-op multiplayer too, so you and your friends can argue about shelf placement while dodging flaming arrows. It’s bold, bonkers, and bursting with personality, making it one of the most ambitious entries in the genre. It might not be your grandma’s shop sim—but it’ll definitely keep you on your toes. | © Airstrafe Interactive

Potionomics (2022)

If Potionomics were a drink, it would be a rich blend of business strategy, deck-building, and romantic comedy, shaken—not stirred—with magical flair. You play as Sylvia, a plucky witch trying to save her family’s potion shop from debt by mastering the fine art of potion brewing and haggling like a pro. Each day is a balancing act between crafting high-quality brews, managing resources, and charming (or outwitting) the town’s many eccentric characters. The card-based negotiation battles are surprisingly intense, and the gorgeous animation makes every interaction pop. It’s part business sim, part dating sim, and all heart—a cauldron of clever design and whimsy. | © Voracious Games / XSEED Games

Winkeltje: The Little Shop (2022)

Winkeltje invites you into the world of old-timey commerce, where you’re the proud owner of a rustic little store in a cozy medieval village. You’ll decorate your shop, stock seasonal goods, and try to stay ahead of economic trends that make or break your business. There’s something incredibly soothing about arranging shelves of cabbages and fine cloth while the seasons change outside your window. As the years pass, you’ll unlock new furniture, technologies, and aesthetics that transform your humble shop into a thriving hub of village life. It’s slow, satisfying, and deeply charming—a little slice of merchant heaven. | © Sassybot

Strange Horticulture (2022)

Strange Horticulture is what happens when a plant shop meets a mystery novel and decides to get weird—delightfully, unnervingly weird. As the owner of a peculiar apothecary in a gloomy, supernatural town, you spend your days identifying strange plants, helping customers with oddly specific requests, and uncovering a dark, unfolding mystery. The game’s tactile interface makes every action—flipping through your plant encyclopedia, labeling your specimens—feel grounded and intimate. But beware: the choices you make have consequences, and some customers are not what they seem. It’s part detective game, part botany simulator, and all atmosphere. | © Bad Viking

Kynseed (2022)

Created by former Fable developers, Kynseed is a sprawling life-sim RPG that lets you live out generation after generation in a richly detailed fantasy world. While running your own shop is just one part of the experience, it’s a vital one—you’ll manage inventory, set prices, and serve customers, all while dealing with the ups and downs of family life, aging, and even death. The game’s unique time system means characters grow old, relationships evolve, and your choices ripple across generations. There’s farming, combat, potion brewing, and an overwhelming sense of time passing, giving your shopkeeping a bittersweet sense of legacy. It’s whimsical, yes, but also quietly profound. | © PixelCount Studios

Meowjiro (2022)

In Meowjiro, you’re not just a shop clerk—you’re an overworked cat’s only hope. This adorable, low-pressure shop sim has you stepping in to help a sleepy feline named Meowjiro run his convenience store. You’ll stock shelves, ring up customers, and keep the place tidy, all while Meowjiro naps behind the counter. The game’s pastel palette and chill vibes make it a relaxing little escape, perfect for players who want something cozy and bite-sized. While it’s not the most complex sim out there, its charm lies in its simplicity and heartwarming cat-human teamwork. After all, who wouldn’t want to help a lazy cat make a living? | © Hanabushi

King Of Retail (2022)

King of Retail is the ultimate retail tycoon fantasy—but with all the stress included. You start as a humble store owner and work your way up to retail royalty, managing everything from hiring staff and designing the floor plan to setting pricing strategies and running marketing campaigns. It’s all about making tough decisions, reading customer trends, and surviving the cutthroat world of selling socks, electronics, or whatever niche market you decide to dominate. The game offers surprisingly deep systems and a sandbox-style freedom that lets your inner entrepreneur run wild. Just be prepared for long hours and the occasional customer meltdown. | © Freaking Games

Potion Party (2021)

Potion Party blends fast-paced arcade action with the delightful chaos of alchemy, giving you a potion shop where the goal is speed, precision, and teamwork. Whether you're playing solo or with friends in couch co-op, the game challenges you to grow ingredients, brew potions, and serve customers before they get too impatient and storm out. The colorful pixel art and frantic pace make it feel like Overcooked, but with magical flair. It’s easy to learn but ramps up quickly, turning your charming little shop into a whirlwind of sparkles, spills, and screaming customers. A perfect pick for anyone who loves mayhem with their magic. | © RPGames / Top Hat Studios

Touhou Mystia's Izakaya (2021)

In Touhou Mystia's Izakaya, you’ll trade swords for skewers as you run a cozy night food stall in the beloved Touhou Project universe. Playing as Mystia Lorelei, a cheerful night sparrow youkai, you’ll cook, serve, and chat with all sorts of quirky customers from Gensokyo. There's a surprising amount of depth behind its pixel-art charm—you’ll source rare ingredients, customize your menu, and master cooking techniques to satisfy the midnight crowd. With lovely music and loads of references for Touhou fans, the game is both a love letter and a great introduction to the series. Running an izakaya has never been so magical—or this adorable. | © Dichroic Purpilion

No Umbrellas Allowed (2021)

Part shop sim, part dystopian drama, No Umbrellas Allowed is unlike anything else on this list. You play as a mysterious man managing a secondhand shop in a bizarre post-corporate world where emotion is currency and items carry hidden histories. Customers come in seeking objects not just for function, but for the stories they represent—and it’s your job to assess, price, and sometimes manipulate them. Underneath the bartering mechanics lies a rich narrative filled with ethical dilemmas and eerie worldbuilding. It’s weird, fascinating, and absolutely unforgettable. Who knew secondhand sales could feel like sci-fi philosophy? | © Hoochoo Game Studios

Merchant Of The Skies (2020)

In Merchant Of The Skies, you don’t just run a shop—you run a flying shop. That’s right: you’re the proud captain of a skyship in a whimsical world full of floating islands, quirky trade routes, and market economics that can turn on a dime. Starting with just a tiny vessel and a dream, you'll buy low, sell high, upgrade your ship, and even build an empire of trading outposts. The game blends light strategy with chill exploration, and while it’s easy to pick up, there’s plenty of depth to uncover as you expand your mercantile reach. It’s a breezy, beautifully designed experience that makes capitalism feel almost magical. | © Coldwild Games

Moonlighter (2018)

Moonlighter is what you get when you mix dungeon crawling with retail management and stir in a bit of pixel-perfect charm. You play as Will, a humble shopkeeper by day and daring adventurer by night, looting ancient ruins to stock your shelves. There’s a tight rhythm to the gameplay: brave the dungeons, gather loot, then head back home to price and sell your wares, all while managing supply, demand, and customer satisfaction. Combat is smooth and satisfying, and the shopkeeping feels like a puzzle in itself. It’s all wrapped up in a gorgeously animated world that’s easy to fall in love with. | © Digital Sun / 11 bit studios

Weapon Shop Fantasy (2017)

Weapon Shop Fantasy is equal parts RPG, crafting sim, and chaotic workplace comedy. You're the boss of a blacksmithing shop in a monster-filled world, managing a team of eccentric apprentices who’d rather go dungeon-diving than follow your production schedules. You'll hire, train, and occasionally babysit your staff as they gather resources and craft gear for adventurers. The gameplay is layered with stats, upgrades, and plenty of anime flair, making it oddly addictive despite the occasional rough edge. It's charming, grindy, and often downright silly—in the best way possible. | © INDIECN

Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?! (2015)

With a title like Holy Potatoes! A Weapon Shop?!, you know you’re in for something a little ridiculous—and delightfully so. This quirky management sim puts you in charge of a blacksmith shop run by sentient potatoes. Yes, really. You’ll forge weapons, train your spud staff, research upgrades, and sell your goods to the most absurd heroes this side of a salad bar. The humor is pun-filled and self-aware, the art style is adorable, and the gameplay loop is surprisingly solid. If you like your capitalism with a side of comedy carbs, this one’s for you. | © Daylight Studios

Recettear: An Item Shop's Tale (2010)

“Capitalism, ho!” If you’ve played Recettear: An Item Shop’s Tale, you know that line all too well. This cult classic is one of the first games to truly blend shopkeeping with dungeon crawling in a way that felt fresh and addictive. You play as Recette, a young girl saddled with her father’s debt, and it’s up to you to run a successful item shop to pay it off. That means stocking shelves, haggling with customers, and venturing into dungeons to secure rare goods. The game is charming, funny, and surprisingly deep—one of those early gems that inspired an entire subgenre of shop sims. | © EasyGameStation / Carpe Fulgur