Retail Business Ideas You Can Start in Canada

946 ideas

Retail covers everything from a weekend market stall to a full neighbourhood shop, so there is a lot of room to start small and grow. These 946 ideas suit people who enjoy dealing with customers, have an eye for products, and like the idea of building a brand around something specific.

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1k to 5k 5k to 20k Over 20k From home Out and about Own premises Online

Tents, sleeping bags and hiking gear displayed in an outdoor camping shop.

Camping gear shop

Open a small shop selling tents, sleeping bags and camping gear to local campers and hikers.

C$30k-120k
Full-time
Own premises

Online camping gear store

Sell a focused range of camping gear online and ship it across Canada from home.

C$3k-15k
Side hustle
Online

Camping gear pop-up and rentals

Sell and rent camping gear from a seasonal stall near campgrounds, markets and events.

C$8k-35k
Side hustle
Out and about

DJ controller, headphones and speakers displayed on a shop counter.

Online DJ gear shop

Sell DJ controllers, headphones and accessories online to hobbyists and working DJs across Canada.

C$3k-15k
Side hustle
Online

Local DJ gear shop

Open a small shop where DJs can try controllers, test headphones and get advice in person.

C$40k-150k
Full-time
Own premises

Large rolls of fabric stacked in a wholesale warehouse.

Small-warehouse fabric wholesaler

Buy bolts from mills and importers, and sell them by the bolt to makers, upholsterers and shops from a small unit.

C$25k-120k
Full-time
Own premises

Online niche fabric wholesaler

Sell one type of fabric by the bolt to small makers and shops online, with stock stored in a garage or small storage unit.

C$5k-25k
Side hustle
Online

Hands fitting a replacement air filter into an engine or unit.

Online furnace and home air filter shop

Sell replacement furnace, HVAC and car cabin filters online, with reorder reminders for repeat buyers.

C$1.5k-8k
Side hustle
Online

Incense sticks smoking in a shop display of wooden boxes.

Online incense and accessories shop

Source quality incense and burners, then sell them to customers across Canada through your own website or a marketplace.

C$1k-5k
Side hustle
Online

Incense wholesaler for local shops

Import or source incense in bulk and supply gift shops, yoga studios and spiritual stores in your region.

C$3k-15k
Part-time
From home

Engraver adding lettering to a trophy in a small workshop.

Home-based trophy and plaque engraving

Engrave trophies, plaques and medals from a spare room for local clubs, schools and teams.

C$2.5k-12k
Side hustle
From home

Trophy and awards shop

Run a small shop making and engraving trophies, plaques and awards for local groups and walk-in customers.

C$20k-80k
Full-time
Own premises

Folded towels and bed sheets displayed on shelves in a linen shop.

Online linen and towel store

Sell bed linen, towels and table textiles online, shipped from your home or a small storage space.

C$1.5k-8k
Side hustle
Online

Linen shop on your local high street

Open a small shop selling bed linen, towels and table textiles to shoppers in your neighbourhood.

C$15k-60k
Full-time
Own premises

Tailcoats and evening gowns displayed on a rack in a formal wear rental shop.

Home-based formal gown hire

Rent out gowns and formal wear for proms, galas and weddings from a fitting room at home.

C$2.5k-10k
Side hustle
From home

Formal wear hire shop

Open a small shop renting gowns, tuxedos and tailcoats for weddings, proms and events.

C$25k-100k
Full-time
Own premises

Cigars displayed in a wooden humidor inside a tobacconist shop.

Independent cigar and pipe tobacco shop

Open a small specialist store selling cigars, pipe tobacco and accessories to adult customers who want good advice.

C$50k-150k
Full-time
Own premises

Rows of ice and roller skates with protective gear in a skate shop.

Neighbourhood skate shop

Open a small shop selling skates, protective gear and parts for ice and roller skaters.

C$25k-100k
Full-time
Own premises

Online skate shop with sharpening

Sell skates and gear online from home, and add skate sharpening for local customers.

C$3k-15k
Side hustle
From home

Bolts of colourful silk fabric displayed in a fabric shop.

Online silk fabric and scarf store

Sell silk by the metre, plus scarves and accessories, to sewers and designers across Canada from a home base.

C$2.5k-10k
Side hustle
Online

Silk fabric and accessories boutique

Open a small shop where sewers, designers and gift buyers can touch silks and buy fabric, scarves and accessories.

C$25k-100k
Full-time
Own premises

Women's clothing hanging on racks inside a bright fashion boutique.

Online womenswear boutique

Sell a carefully chosen range of women's clothing and accessories through your own website and social media.

C$2k-10k
Side hustle
Online

Independent womenswear shop

Open a small high-street or neighbourhood shop selling women's clothing and accessories, with an online shop alongside.

C$25k-100k
Full-time
Own premises

Shopper browsing tools and paint in a bright hardware store aisle.

Neighbourhood hardware and DIY store

Open a small local store selling tools, paint, fixings and supplies to homeowners and tradespeople.

C$60k-250k
Full-time
Own premises

About these ideas

You might look at a seasonal Christmas pop-up shop to test demand with limited commitment, an online gift shop with a niche to sell from home, or a neighbourhood fabric and sewing supply shop if you want a regular local customer base. Before choosing, think about how much stock you can afford to hold, whether you need a storefront or can sell online or at markets, and where your supplier would come from. Compare the ongoing costs, such as rent and inventory, against what you can realistically sell.

More ideas

Questions

How much money do I need to start a retail business in Canada?

It varies widely. A market stall or online shop usually needs less upfront than a leased storefront. Check costs for stock, rent, fixtures, insurance, payment processing and any deposits, then compare them with your savings and funding options.

Do I need a licence or registration to open a shop in Canada?

Requirements differ by province and municipality, so check locally. Things to look into include business registration, a municipal business licence, GST/HST registration, zoning rules, and any permits for specific products such as food or regulated goods.

Should I sell online, from a shop or at markets?

Each has trade-offs. Markets and pop-ups let you test products cheaply, online shops reach more people but need marketing and shipping, and a shop builds local presence with higher fixed costs. Check which suits your product, budget and time.