Online asian grocery with local delivery

Home cooks, students and families who live far from an Asian grocery store, plus people buying hard-to-find items or gift boxes.

Markup on products plus delivery fees or free-delivery minimums. Curated boxes, such as a ramen kit or a Korean pantry set, can raise the average order.

• Sourcing products and building supplier relationships
• Setting up an online store
• Packing and shipping
• Social media and photos
• Stock tracking

• Check CFIA rules for selling food, including labelling and whether you need a licence for importing or interprovincial sales
• Check with your municipality and public health unit about storing and selling food from home, as many places restrict it
• Commercial general liability insurance, with product liability cover
• GST/HST and provincial sales tax on online sales, which can vary by province
• Shipping costs and breakage on heavy or glass items
• Winter shipping can affect drinks and some products, so check before sending

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $3,000 to $15,000, depending on your opening stock, website setup, packing supplies, insurance and any storage space you rent. Treat this as an estimate and begin with a small range of shelf-stable items.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $1,000 to $5,000, depending on your range, marketing, order sizes and delivery area. Shipping costs and breakage on heavy or glass items can reduce what you keep from each order.

Check CFIA rules for selling food, including labelling and whether you need a licence for importing or interprovincial sales. Also check municipal and public health rules on storing food at home, product liability insurance, and GST/HST and provincial sales tax on online sales.