Independent clothing boutique shop

Local shoppers, gift buyers and visitors looking for something different from malls and big chains.

Retail markup on stock, with seasonal sales and end-of-line clearance. Styling help and loyalty offers can bring regulars back.

• Buying and choosing stock
• Customer service and styling advice
• Managing budgets, rent and inventory

• Commercial leases can be long and costly, so have terms reviewed before signing
• Check municipal business licence, signage and zoning rules for your location
• Get commercial general liability and contents insurance, and check WCB/WSIB rules before hiring staff
• Seasonality: winter weather and the post-holiday slump can hit sales, so keep cash in reserve
• Check GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration, and French-language signage rules if in Quebec

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $25,000 to $100,000, depending on your rent and deposit, fit-out, opening stock and online shop setup. Lease terms and stock depth will largely decide where you fall in that range.

Monthly revenue is typically estimated at around $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your location, range and pricing. The estimate assumes about 40 or more hours a week, and winter and the post-holiday slump can hit sales.

Have commercial lease terms reviewed before signing, and check your municipality's business licence, signage and zoning rules. Also check insurance, WCB or WSIB rules before hiring, GST/HST and provincial sales tax registration, and French-language signage rules in Quebec.