Online American snacks store

Snack fans and expats living away from big cities, gift buyers, and people who want themed boxes for parties.

Mark-up on products plus shipping charges. Snack boxes and monthly subscriptions can raise the average order value.

• Setting up an online shop
• Packing and shipping orders
• Social media and product photos

• Check with the CFIA about whether you need a Safe Food for Canadians licence, particularly if you import directly rather than buy from a Canadian distributor
• Packaged food must meet Canadian labelling rules, including French and English. Check products before you list them
• Check whether your municipality requires a home-based business licence, and any rules on storing food at home
• Short best-before dates, melting chocolate in summer and freezing drinks in winter can cause losses
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• Insurance that covers stock and product liability

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on how much stock you buy, how your website is built and what packing and storage you need. Starting with a small range can keep costs down.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your range, pricing and how well you market snack boxes and bundles. That is revenue, not profit, so stock and shipping costs come out of it.

Check with the CFIA about a Safe Food for Canadians licence, especially if you import directly. Also check English and French labelling rules, home-based business licence and food storage rules in your municipality, and GST/HST registration.