Asian homeware and gift shop

Local households, people who cook Asian food at home, gift buyers, students and tourists.

You buy stock from wholesalers or importers and sell it at a retail markup. Gift sets, seasonal items (such as Lunar New Year) and repeat pantry purchases help keep sales steady.

• Choosing products customers want
• Stock control and ordering
• Customer service
• Basic bookkeeping

• Municipal business licence and zoning for retail, check with your city or town
• Selling packaged food may involve CFIA labelling rules (including bilingual labelling) and local public health requirements, check before stocking food
• Imported ceramics, kitchenware and children's items may have product safety rules, check Health Canada requirements
• Commercial general liability and contents insurance
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• Rent, slow winter months and unsold seasonal stock can squeeze cash flow

Estimates typically put startup costs at around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on the premises, your range and how much stock you buy. Rent, slow winter months and unsold seasonal stock can squeeze cash flow, so plan a buffer.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue of typically around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on location, your range and foot traffic. This is revenue before rent, stock and wages. Expect to work at least about 40 hours a week.

Check municipal business licence and zoning for retail with your city or town. If you sell packaged food, check CFIA labelling rules, including bilingual labelling, and local public health requirements. Also check Health Canada rules for imported ceramics, kitchenware and children's items.