Start an online children's clothes store in Canada

Parents, grandparents and gift buyers looking for everyday wear, seasonal outerwear and special occasion outfits.

You buy at wholesale prices and sell at retail, keeping the difference after shipping, platform fees and returns. Bundles, seasonal sets and gift items can raise the average order.

• Choosing stock that sells
• Basic product photography and online listings
• Organised stock and order handling
• Customer service, including returns

• Children's clothing safety rules, such as drawstring limits and flammability and labelling requirements; check Health Canada's guidance and your supplier's compliance
• Textile labelling rules, including bilingual labelling; check what applies to your stock
• GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, and provincial sales tax rules that vary by province
• Unsold stock as sizes and seasons change, so order small and reorder often
• Home-based business licence rules in your municipality

Startup costs are estimated at typically around $1,500 to $7,000, depending on how much stock you buy, your website or marketplace setup and product photography. Ordering small and reordering often helps limit unsold stock as sizes and seasons change.

Things to check include Health Canada guidance on children's clothing safety, such as drawstring limits, flammability and labelling, plus bilingual textile labelling. Also check GST/HST registration once you pass the small supplier threshold, provincial sales tax rules and any home-based licence rules.

Monthly revenue is estimated at typically around $500 to $4,000, depending on your niche, stock range and marketing. The minimum time commitment is estimated at about 8 hours a week for sourcing, listings, packing, shipping and customer service.