Ceramics wholesaler with a small warehouse showroom

Independent retailers, gift and homeware shops, restaurants and cafés, interior stylists and small chains buying in bulk.

You earn the margin between your landed cost and your wholesale price. Larger imports lower your cost per item, and repeat accounts bring steady orders, often with seasonal peaks before the holidays.

• Importing and supplier management
• Sales and relationship building
• Inventory and warehouse organising
• Budgeting and cash flow management

• Unit lease terms, zoning and whether your municipality requires a business licence for a warehouse or showroom
• Import duties, GST/HST and customs rules, check with the Canada Border Services Agency
• Health Canada rules on lead and cadmium in ceramic tableware
• Commercial general liability, property and stock insurance, plus WCB/WSIB once you hire
• A lot of cash is tied up in stock, and slow-selling lines can be hard to clear
• Quebec has French-language labelling and signage rules, check them if you sell there

Startup costs are typically estimated at around $20,000 to $90,000, depending on the unit, the volume of stock you import and your showroom setup. Monthly revenue is estimated at about $6,000 to $30,000, depending on your accounts and product range.

Check your unit lease terms, zoning, and whether your municipality requires a business licence for a warehouse or showroom. Also check import duties, GST/HST and customs rules with the Canada Border Services Agency, and Health Canada rules on lead and cadmium in ceramic tableware.

Plan on at least about 30 hours a week as an estimate. A lot of cash is tied up in stock, and slow-selling lines can be hard to clear. Check insurance, WCB/WSIB once you hire, and French-language rules if selling in Quebec.