Camping gear pop-up and rentals

Tourists, first-time campers, festival-goers and families who want gear for one trip without buying it.

Sales margin on small items, plus rental fees per night or weekend with a refundable deposit. Revenue is concentrated in the warmer months.

• Knowing camping gear
• Customer service
• Organising stock and bookings
• Basic cleaning and repair of gear

• Vendor permits or market fees, check with the municipality or event organizer
• Commercial general liability insurance, and cover for rented gear if available
• Damage, loss and cleaning costs on rentals, so use a clear rental agreement and deposit
• Start-up costs rise quickly if you add a trailer or a larger rental fleet; begin with a small fleet of tents and sleeping bags and a tent or table setup, and expand once bookings come in
• Short season: you may need another income source over winter
• Register for GST/HST once you pass the small supplier threshold and check provincial sales tax rules

Startup costs are typically around $8,000 to $35,000, depending on your rental fleet and whether you add a trailer. Monthly revenue is estimated at around $800 to $4,000. Begin with a small fleet of tents and sleeping bags, then expand once bookings come in.

Check vendor permits or market fees with the municipality or event organizer. Look into commercial general liability insurance, and cover for rented gear if available. Use a clear rental agreement and deposit to cover damage, loss and cleaning costs.

The estimate is at least around 10 hours a week. The season is short, so you may need another income source over winter. Also check GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules.