Online bed store with local delivery

Shoppers who prefer to compare and buy online, first-time bed buyers, students, and households outside big retail areas.

Margin on each bed or mattress sold, plus delivery and set-up fees and add-ons such as protectors, pillows and bedding.

• Online selling and basic website skills
• Clear product descriptions and customer support
• Coordinating suppliers and couriers

• Commercial general liability insurance and product liability cover, checked with your insurer
• Check Health Canada rules on mattress flammability and labelling, and any provincial bedding or stuffed article rules
• Return policies for bulky items can be costly, so agree terms with suppliers before you list products
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold, and check provincial sales tax rules
• Check whether your province has mattress recycling or stewardship fees
• Winter weather can delay shipping and local delivery, so set honest delivery times

Estimates suggest startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on whether you hold stock, ship from suppliers, and how much you spend on your website. Treat this as a rough range and build your own budget.

Estimates suggest monthly revenue is typically around $4,000 to $20,000, depending on your products, pricing and how many orders you handle. That is revenue before supplier, delivery and other costs, and the idea needs about 15 hours a week at minimum.

Check Health Canada rules on mattress flammability and labelling, plus any provincial bedding or stuffed article rules. Also check insurance with your insurer, GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, provincial sales tax, and any mattress recycling fees in your province.